Influence of Electrode Shape on Performance of Pulsed Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster SIMP-LEX

摘要

The pulsed magnetoplasmadynamic thruster SIMP-LEX (Stuttgart impulsing magnetoplasmadynamic thrusternfor lunar exploration) is developed to serve as a main propulsion system for the lunar mission BW1. Optimizing thenthruster’s performance is necessary to increase the efficiency and the mean exhaust velocity without increasing thensystem’s mass and energy requirements. Results of experiments varying the flare angle and the gap between thenelectrodes, the applied voltage, as well as using tongue-shaped or rectangular electrodes are shown and evaluated bynmeans of a statistical approach using Taguchi matrices. Furthermore, an analytical approach toward the influencenon the change in inductance along the x axis for these parameters was taken and the resulting performancencharacteristics are presented. Both tongue shape and flare angle, show a positive effect on the performance, that is,nimpulse bit, mean exhaust velocity, and thrust efficiency. A maximal Ibit is given for a flare angle of u000120 deg.