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At least 127 records · Page 7

Qualification Progress and Mission-Enabling Capabilities of the 12-kW Hall-Effect, Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) Thruster

An update of the 12 kW Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) qualification and flight thruster status is provided. Three flight thrusters completed acceptance testing in 2025 and have been delivered to NASA. Environmental qualification is complete and preparations are under way for long-duration life-demonstration testing. A brief overview of three of SEP’s programmatic lessons learned are discussed: risk management, contract oversight, and requirement definition. In addition, the extensibility of the AEPS thruster to enable a variety of NASA missions is presented.

Mars Exploration↗

Mode Transitions in Magnetically Shielded Hall Effect Thrusters

A mode transition study is conducted in magnetically shielded thrusters where the magnetic field magnitude is varied to induce mode transitions. Three different oscillatory modes are identified with the 20-kW NASA-300MS-2 and the 6-kW H6MS: Mode 1) global mode similar to unshielded thrusters at low magnetic fields, Mode 2) cathode oscillations at nominal magnetic fields, and Mode 3) combined spoke, cathode and breathing mode oscillations at high magnetic fields. Mode 1 exhibits large amplitude, low frequency (1-10 kHz), breathing mode type oscillations where discharge current mean value and oscillation amplitude peak. The mean discharge current is minimized while thrust-to-power and anode efficiency are maximized in Mode 2, where higher frequency (50-90 kHz), low amplitude, cathode oscillations dominate. Thrust is maximized in Mode 3 and decreases by 5-6% with decreasing magnetic field strength. The presence or absence of spokes and strong cathode oscillations do not affect each other or discharge current. Similar to unshielded thrusters, mode transitions and plasma oscillations affect magnetically shielded thruster performance and should be characterized during system development.

Ground Tests↗

Hall effect encoding of brushless dc motors

Encoding mechanism integral to the motor and using the permanent magnets embedded in the rotor eliminates the need for external devices to encode information relating the position and velocity of the rotating member.

Berard, C. A.↗

Hall-effect toggle switch

Device performs same switching functions as mechanical switches, occupies same or less panel space, requires only one power source (which is compatible with the load), and operates under severe conditions of temperature, vibration, and shock.

Chevalier, S. A.↗

Anomalous Ion Heating and Pole Erosion in the 12.5-kW Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding (HERMeS)

Wear measurements of the inner pole cover in HERMeS have shown as much as ten times higher erosion rates than past numerical simulations predicted. Also, measurements of ion velocity distribution functions (IVDF) suggest that ion heating occurs near the chamfered regions of the acceleration channel and around the inner pole surface. In our companion paper we present theoretical evidence that the plasma conditions in this region can excite instabilities in the lower hybrid frequency. Here, we provide further evidence of their presence through comparisons between numerical simulations and measurements. After including in the 2-D axisymmetric hydrodynamic-PIC code Hall2De an idealized model of the ion temperature based on a scaling with the lower hybrid frequency, we find the agreement between the computed and measured IVDF is significantly improved. In addition, the computed erosion rates at the inner pole surface are now in close agreement with wear test measurements.

Frieman, Jason↗

The electrical properties of 60 keV zinc ions implanted into semi-insulating gallium arsenide

The electrical behavior of zinc ions implanted into chromium-doped semiinsulating gallium arsenide was investigated by measurements of the sheet resistivity and Hall effect. Room temperature implantations were performed using fluence values from 10 to the 12th to 10 to the 15th power/sq cm at 60 keV. The samples were annealed for 30 minutes in a nitrogen atmosphere up to 800 C in steps of 200 C and the effect of this annealing on the Hall effect and sheet resistivity was studied at room temperature using the Van der Pauw technique. The temperature dependence of sheet resistivity and mobility was measured from liquid nitrogen temperature to room temperature. Finally, a measurement of the implanted profile was obtained using a layer removal technique combined with the Hall effect and sheet resistivity measurements.

Littlejohn, M. A.↗

Hall current effect on tearing mode instability

From a linear 2-D eigenmode analysis, it is found that the Hall current effect on collisional tearing mode instability becomes important for the thin magnetic reversal layer whose width is comparable to the ion inertia length; Hall currents produce a three-dimensional field structure and increase the reconnection (growth) rate. Since the magnetaic reversal layer widths both in the magnetopause and in the magnetotail are reported to become as thin as the ion inertial length (several hundred km) when the reconnection process is supposed to occur, the Hall current effect may explain the appearance of the dawn-dusk component of the magnetic field in the magnetotail reconnection region.

Terasawa, T.↗

Magnetic Analog Random-Access Memory

Proposed integrated, solid-state, analog random-access memory base on principle of magnetic writing and magnetoresistive reading. Current in writing conductor magnetizes storage layer. Remanent magnetization in storage layer penetrates readout layer and detected by magnetoresistive effect or Hall effect. Memory cells are part of integrated circuit including associated reading and writing transistors. Intended to provide high storage density and rapid access, nonvolatile, consumes little power, and relatively invulnerable to ionizing radiation.

Katti, Romney R.↗

MPD work at MIT

MPD work at MIT is presented in the form of the view-graphs. The following subject areas are covered: the MIT program, its goals, achievements, and roadblocks; quasi one-dimensional modeling; two-dimensional modeling - transport effects and Hall effect; microscopic instabilities in MPD flows and modified two stream instability; electrothermal stability theory; separation of onset and anode depletion; exit plane spectroscopic measurements; phenomena of onset as performance limiter; explanations of onset; geometry effects on onset; onset at full ionization and its consequences; relationship to anode depletion; summary on self-field MPD; applied field MPD - the logical growth path; the case for AF; the challenges of AF MPD; and recommendations.

Martinez-Sanchez, Manuel↗

Nonvolatile random access memory

A nonvolatile magnetic random access memory can be achieved by an array of magnet-Hall effect (M-H) elements. The storage function is realized with a rectangular thin-film ferromagnetic material having an in-plane, uniaxial anisotropy and inplane bipolar remanent magnetization states. The thin-film magnetic element is magnetized by a local applied field, whose direction is used to form either a 0 or 1 state. The element remains in the 0 or 1 state until a switching field is applied to change its state. The stored information is detcted by a Hall-effect sensor which senses the fringing field from the magnetic storage element. The circuit design for addressing each cell includes transistor switches for providing a current of selected polarity to store a binary digit through a separate conductor overlying the magnetic element of the cell. To read out a stored binary digit, transistor switches are employed to provide a current through a row of Hall-effect sensors connected in series and enabling a differential voltage amplifier connected to all Hall-effect sensors of a column in series. To avoid read-out voltage errors due to shunt currents through resistive loads of the Hall-effect sensors of other cells in the same column, at least one transistor switch is provided between every pair of adjacent cells in every row which are not turned on except in the row of the selected cell.

Wu, Jiin-Chuan↗

Development of a High-Propellant Throughput Small Spacecraft Electric Propulsion System to Enable Lower Cost NASA Science Missions

This paper describes recent progress at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in the development and demonstration of an integrated high-propellant throughput small spacecraft electric propulsion (HT-SSEP) system based on a Hall-effect thruster. A center-mounted cathode and an innovative magnetic circuit topology were implemented in the design of the Hall-effect thruster to achieve high-propellant throughput, high performance, and efficient packaging. To minimize technical risk, the HT-SSEP development approach sought to limit design features and materials to those with a clear path-to-flight. A propellant throughput capability of greater than 100 kg at a minimum thruster efficiency of 50% was targeted. The proof-of-concept NASA-H64M laboratory model (LM) thruster was designed, fabricated, and tested at GRC in fiscal year 2018. The thruster development leveraged heritage Hall-effect thruster design and manufacturing processes wherever appropriate. Recent NASA advances in Hall-effect thruster technology were also leveraged. A scalable discharge power supply (DPS) capable of powering the H64M-LM was developed, then demonstrated as part of an integrated system test. The DPS uses commercial off-the-shelf components with spaceflight equivalents. A keeper supply with DC ignitor was breadboarded, then demonstrated with a laboratory cathode. Finally, feed system trade studies were performed to ascertain what feed system architecture might be appropriate for an HT-SSEP system. This paper details the motivations for the project, the development approach, the chosen sub-system architectures, design considerations, and test results.

Benavides, Gabriel F.↗

Development of a High-Propellant Throughput Small Spacecraft Electric Propulsion System to Enable Lower Cost NASA Science Missions

This paper describes recent progress at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in the development and demonstration of an integrated high-propellant throughput small spacecraft electric propulsion (HT-SSEP) system based on a Hall-effect thruster. A center-mounted cathode and an innovative magnetic circuit topology were implemented in the design of the Hall-effect thruster to achieve high-propellant throughput, high performance, and efficient packaging. To minimize technical risk, the HT-SSEP development approach sought to limit design features and materials to those with a clear path-to-flight. A propellant throughput capability of greater than 100 kg at a minimum thruster efficiency of 50% was targeted. The proof-of-concept NASA-H64M laboratory model (LM) thruster was designed, fabricated, and tested at GRC in fiscal year 2018. The thruster development leveraged heritage Hall-effect thruster design and manufacturing processes wherever appropriate. Recent NASA advances in Hall-effect thruster technology were also leveraged. A scalable discharge power supply (DPS) capable of powering the H64M-LM was developed, then demonstrated as part of an integrated system test. The DPS uses commercial off-the-shelf components with spaceflight equivalents. A keeper supply with DC ignitor was breadboarded, then demonstrated with a laboratory cathode. Finally, feed system trade studies were performed to ascertain what feed system architecture might be appropriate for an HT-SSEP system. This paper details the motivations for the project, the development approach, the chosen sub-system architectures, design considerations, and test results.

Benavides, Gabriel F.↗

Development of a High-Propellant Throughput Small Spacecraft Electric Propulsion System (HT-SSEP) to Enable Lower Cost NASA Science Missions

Discusses progress at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in the development and demonstration of an integrated high-propellant throughput small spacecraft electric propulsion (HT-SSEP) system based on a Hall-effect thruster. A center-mounted cathode and an innovative magnetic circuit topology were implemented in the design of the Hall-effect thruster to achieve high-propellant throughput, high performance, and efficient packaging. To minimize technical risk, the HT-SSEP development approach sought to limit design features and materials to those with a clear path-to-flight. A propellant throughput capability of greater than 100 kilograms at a minimum thruster efficiency of 50 percent was targeted. The proof-of-concept NASA-H64M laboratory model (LM) thruster was designed, fabricated, and tested at GRC in fiscal year 2018. The thruster development leveraged heritage Hall-effect thruster design and manufacturing processes wherever appropriate. Recent NASA advances in Hall-effect thruster technology were also leveraged. A scalable discharge power supply (DPS) capable of powering the H64M-LM was developed, then demonstrated as part of an integrated system test. The DPS uses commercial off-the-shelf components with spaceflight equivalents. A keeper supply with DC ignitor was breadboarded, then demonstrated with a laboratory cathode. Finally, feed system trade studies were performed to ascertain what feed system architecture might be appropriate for an HT-SSEP system. This paper details the motivations for the project, the development approach, the chosen sub-system architectures, design considerations, and test results.

Benavides, Gabriel↗