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NASA NTRS · 20240014086

Characterizing Electrical Arc Behavior in Ion Engines

Robert E Thomas·Rittu S Raju·James J Bontempo
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Abstract

Test results using an engineering model Advanced NEXT thruster are presented to identify different arc types utilizing ground test hardware. Three distinct arc types were observed: grid-to-grid arcs, high voltage-to-chassis arcs, and a combination of both. The frequency of high voltage-to-chassis arcs ranged from 4-30%, depending on operating conditions and hardware configuration. Higher beam currents were typically associated with more frequent high voltage-to-chassis arcs. During these arcs, the measured chassis current levels ranged from 20-70 A, however a significant portion of the output beam current returned to the beam supply via the neutralizer cathode plasma, which may be a ground test facility effect. The paper also discusses conducted susceptibility tests that can be performed at the spacecraft level to address the transients associated with arcing events.

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Robert E Thomas, Rittu S Raju, James J Bontempo. Characterizing Electrical Arc Behavior in Ion Engines. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20240014086

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