Applied field magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters(AF-MPDTs), with their high specific impulse and considerable thrust, are increasingly favored for large-scale space missions. This paper presents the composition, functiona...Applied field magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters(AF-MPDTs), with their high specific impulse and considerable thrust, are increasingly favored for large-scale space missions. This paper presents the composition, functionality, and testing methods of a high-power electric propulsion performance testing system, along with the vacuum ignition test results of a 100 kW superconducting MPD thruster. The relationships between thruster efficiency, magnetic field strength, current,and mass flow rate are analyzed. For each combination of current and flow rate in an AF-MPDT, there is an optimal magnetic field strength where the thruster efficiency reaches its peak. Under conditions of 320 A current and 60 mg/s flow rate,the optimal magnetic field strength is 0.5 T, yielding the highest thruster efficiency of 71%.展开更多
文摘Applied field magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters(AF-MPDTs), with their high specific impulse and considerable thrust, are increasingly favored for large-scale space missions. This paper presents the composition, functionality, and testing methods of a high-power electric propulsion performance testing system, along with the vacuum ignition test results of a 100 kW superconducting MPD thruster. The relationships between thruster efficiency, magnetic field strength, current,and mass flow rate are analyzed. For each combination of current and flow rate in an AF-MPDT, there is an optimal magnetic field strength where the thruster efficiency reaches its peak. Under conditions of 320 A current and 60 mg/s flow rate,the optimal magnetic field strength is 0.5 T, yielding the highest thruster efficiency of 71%.
