document title / titre du document TRP W ORK PLAN ... - emits - ESA

TRP Work Plan 2005-2007
Description of Activities
TEC-SB/7935/dc
12/Feb/09
TRP Reference:
Title:
T505-09MP
Hall-effect Thruster with Multi-Sectional Conductive Walls
An interesting approach to enhance HET efficiency consists in an innovative discharge channel architecture based on
segmented conducting walls. A variable channel width can contribute to decrease the ion losses at the walls and improve the
ion flow focusing (reducing erosion and sputtering problems), while the use of conductive materials with low secondary
electron emission yield (with respect to more traditional ceramic insulators) can lead to significant increases of thruster
efficiency (up to 80%, especially for high discharge voltages). The Contractor shall design a high-power HET with a
multi-segmented (at least three) conductive channel. In addition, the Contractor shall improve the control of the potential along
the channel, either by changing the relative position of the conductive floating sections to the distribution of the magnetic field,
or by imposing with external power supplies their electric potential. This can contribute to reduce the beam divergence and the
near-wall potential drop, responsible for channel sputtering and erosion. The Contractor shall also incorporate a modular
magnetic system to be able to optimise the magnetic configuration. The Contractor shall manufacture a prototype a perform a
complete characterisation test campaign and determine the operational limits of the technology. The Contractor shall
instrument the test facility to be able to quantify the decrease of erosion with respect to standard discharge channels.
Deliverables:
Functional Design Assessment and Justification Report. Design document for a high-power HET with multi-segmented
conductive channel. Demonstrator Characterisation.
Current TRL: TRL1 Target TRL: TRL2 Application Need/Date: TRL5 >2009
High power telecommunication missions
(>2012) and interplanetary missions for
Application/Mission:
Exploration and science (>2012) will be
Contract Duration: 24 months
the main objectives for this technology.
SW Clause : - Dossier0 Ref.: T-8119
Consistency with Harmonisation
Roadmap and Conclusions:
TRP Reference: T601-02MP
Title:
Development of advanced EP Thruster characterisation diagnostics
The objectives of the proposed activity are to develop and test Telemicroscopy and Thermographic diagnostic systems
capable of being used for both Hall-effect oftware and Gridded ion engine systems operating with variable Isp and
propellants. In addition to the diagnostics analysis techniques/software tools are also required for the interpretation of test
data. This activity will be accomplished in two phases: Phase 1: Design and development of diagnostics; telemicroscopy
diagnostic design and demonstrator manufacture; thermographic diagnostic design and demonstrator manufacture;
Development of data analysis techniques/SW. Phase 2: Experimental characterisation of HET and Gridded thrusters;
Experimental characterisation of HET/GIE Software in number of European facilities; Analysis of results and comparison
between facilities.
Deliverables:
Advanced diagnostic systems and tools ready to be used in European EP test facilities.
Current TRL: TRL2 Target TRL: TRL3 Application Need/Date: TRL5 >2009
Application/Mission: All missions using EP thrusters Contract Duration: 18 months
SW Clause : - Dossier0 Ref.:
Consistency with Harmonisation
Roadmap and Conclusions:
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