Experimental investigation of barium additive influence on functioning of magnetoplasma thrusters

Аuthors

Semenikhin S. A.^*, Sysoyev D. V., Tikhonov V. B.

Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), 4, Volokolamskoe shosse, Moscow, А-80, GSP-3, 125993, Russia

*e-mail: riame@sokol.ru

Abstract

A magnetoplasma thrusters using lithium working substance are studied to reveal an influence of barium additive on their performances. The influence are examined in regard to integral thruster parameters (thrust, efficiency and voltage-current characteristic) as well as local ones (e.g., a temperature of active zone for the cathode). The barium additive usage provides decreasing of the cathode active zone temperature down to 400 K preserving integral thruster performances. According to obtained estimations this temperature decreasing allows to alleviate resource limitations caused with thermal evaporation of the cathode.