High Power Space Propulsion System TIHTUS - an Overview
- Paper number
IAC-06-C4.P.4.06
- Author
Ms. Hannah Boehrk, Institute of Space Systems, Germany
- Coauthor
Mrs. Monika Auweter-Kurtz, Institute of Space Systems, Germany
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The Thermal-Inductive Hybrid Thruster of the University of Stuttgart (TIHTUS) is a two-staged electric thruster which combines a thermal arcjet (HIPARC-W, 1st stage) with an Inductively heated Plasma Generator (IPG3, 2nd stage). This high power electric thruster is currently under development at Institute of Space Systems (IRS, Institut für Raumfahrtsysteme). Its successors are intended for the transport of heavy payload on interplanetary trajectories. The two-staged thruster is of interest since it provides an increase in exhaust velocity. It also allows for reactive gases to be admixed in the electrodeless part of the IPG3, such as CH4 or CO2. The plasma jet emerging from the arcjet HIPARC is expanded into the IPG3’s quartz discharge tube, where the near-wall gas layer is inductively heated and the core temperature is increased. From this, a significant rise of the average temperature is expected. Therefore, in a superposed, hybrid mode, a rise in specific impulse is expected, as is a rise in thrust density. Based on existing hardware, the two stages have been investigated separately during operation with hydrogen. Apart form experimental investigations, the numerical simulation was conducted in which the plasma flow in the two stages was simulated by a 2D rotation-symmetric model. Thrust measurements of the arcjet stage yield a maximum thrust of 3.3 N and a maximum specific impulse of 1430 s with either curve versus electrical input power showing no sign of saturation. Neutral hydrogen operation at the inductively coupled stage is presented showing an efficiency of plasma heating of 32% and a thrust of over 2.3 N is estimated at a specific impulse of lower than 400 s. The numerical investigation supports parameter studies and completes the experimental results shown. The numerical investigation in combination with the experiment clearly outline the two-staged TIHTUS thuster as a high thrust propulsion system. This points out its applicability to piloted - and therefore high payload - missions where waste - as CO2 and CH4 - is produded that may be recycled as propellant. Currently, the two stages are assembled. The present paper reports on combined hydrogen operation of the thruster. It also presents the numerical simulation of each separate stage of the innovative TIHTUS engine.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-C4.P.4.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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