Bipropellant Attitude Control Rocket (ACR) Plume Effects on Solar Cells, Optics and Thermal Paint

摘要

The objectives of the effort were to determine exhaust plume effects on the functional surfaces of a spacecraft, and identify the contaminant. Tests were conducted under vacuum conditions using a Marquardt R1E attitude control rocket engine. The propellants were nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) and monomethylhydrazine (MMH). The analysis of the test data revealed that the bipropellant attitude control rocket engine exhaust plume does have an effect on the operational characteristics of the spaceborne equipment, in varying degrees, dependent upon the location of the equipment with relation to the rocket engine nozzle exit. The exhaust plume contaminant has been identified as monomethylhydrazine nitrate. (Author)