Mathematical Modeling of a High Efficiency Pulsed Plasma Thruster for Microsatellites
- Paper number
IAC-06-C4.P.4.04
- Author
Mr. Peter Shaw, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Vaios J. Lappas, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Max Meerman, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) is a cheap and versatile electric propulsive device but suffers from low thruster efficiencies, typically in the range of 1-20%. Studies into PPTs have focused on specific aspects of the physical process to increase understanding and performance, for instance late time ablation or current sheet canting, although enlightening, they have yet to increase significantly the overall efficiencies of the PPT. Studies at Surrey Space Centre (SSC) focus on taking a system design approach and fine tuning components off the shelf to create an efficient but low cost PPT. In this effort a slug parallel plate model verified with the LES 6 and LES 8/9 PPT data that was published by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute forms the basis of the SSC optimisation model. Further verification done by SSC was achieved with Dawgstar PPT and other laboratory PPTs. The Model works by using sets of coupled differential equations that are solved using MatLab that describe the dynamics of the pulse plasma discharge, the design of this model is presented in this paper. Repeating the versatile model for various sets of thruster parameters leads to the formulation of relationships presented here that describe best-fit curves that will optimize a thruster. This Model predicts that with careful tuning of physical dimensions and circuit components that a Parallel Plate PPT with thrust efficiency in the range of 60-85%, an impulse bit in the range of 0.1 - 0.7mN.s and a Specific Impulse in the range of 1500-4000s could be constructed. A tool designed by SSC is integrated with the model to aid researchers and engineers to size an optimised PPT to a microsatellite; this tool also designed the benchmark PPT that will be used to verify the SSC model.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-C4.P.4.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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