Operating the alternative propellant iodine in radio frequency ion thrusters
- Paper number
IAC-16,C4,4,14,x32133
- Coauthor
Ms. Nina Sarah Mühlich, Justus-Liebig Universität Giessen, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Waldemar Gärtner, Justus-Liebig Universität Giessen, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Kristof Holste, Justus-Liebig Universität Giessen, Germany
- Coauthor
Prof.Dr. Slobodan Mitic, Justus-Liebig Universität Giessen, Germany
- Coauthor
Prof. Peter Klar, Justus-Liebig Universität Giessen, Germany
- Year
2016
- Abstract
Radio frequency ion thrusters (RIT) are based on the ionization and electrostatic acceleration of propellant. The propellant should satisfy the following requirements: low ionisation potential, and easy transfer into the gaseous state. Iodine represents a promising candidate as a propellant in RIT, which is currently analyzed at the I. Physical Institute of Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen. We present optical emission spectra data of inductively and capacitively coupled iodine plasmas in dependency of the neutral gas density and the performance that is coupled into the plasma for diagnosis of ion thrusters. These spectra will be compared with theoretical models to determine the relevant plasma parameters, degree of ionization and electron density, for the RIT. Finally we will show the performance results of the RIT operating iodine.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)