NASA LogoNTRSNTRS - NASA Technical Reports ServerSearchmore_vertCollectionsAboutNewsHelpLogin Back to ResultsIodine Hall-Effect Electric Propulsion System Research, Development, and System Durability DemonstrationThis paper reviews recent iodine electric propulsion research and development activities at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). Activities included (i) investigation of the iodine compatibility of BaO-CaO-Al2O3 impregnated tungsten hollow cathodes based on a flight heritage design, (ii) investigation of the iodine compatibility of a handful of materials common to propulsion systems, spacecraft, and ground test facilities, (iii) development of reliable iodine feed system technologies, (iv) implementation of test facility improvements in an attempt to mitigate iodine associated negative impacts, and culminated in (v) an 1,174-hour hybrid iodine-xenon propulsion system durability demonstration (iodine fed Hall-effect thruster with xenon fed cathode). Each of the activities resulted in extensive insights that shall informfuture iodine electric propulsion developments. While reliable operation of a BaO-CaO-Al2O3 impregnated tungsten hollow cathode on iodine vapor was not achieved, long-term operation on xenon gas in proximity to an iodine fed thruster was demonstrated without any measurable degradation or cross-contamination of the cathode. Furthermore, iodine material corrosion investigations conducted at 300 degrees C over 5, 15, and 30 days showed significant deterioration of all materials evaluated, although the same materials with a silicon coating proved nearly impervious to iodine so long as the coating was not mechanically damaged. Finally, the 1,174-hour durability test demonstration showed that (i) iodine feed system technologies developed at GRC delivered well-regulated uninterrupted propellant, (ii) implementation of appropriate facility improvements and procedures can limit negative impacts of iodine on test hardware and ground support equipment, although facility challenges with iodine are extensive, and (iii) a Hall-effect thruster operates with similar performance whether employing iodine or xenon propellant over long durations. The work was motivated by strong government and commercial interest in the growing capabilities of small-spacecraft (<500 kg), in combination with interest for denser low-power, high delta-v in-space propulsion systems. This work adds to a growing body of research and development efforts aimed at addressing the many anticipated challenges of implementing iodine as an in-space propellant. This work was conducted under the Advanced In-Space Propulsion (AISP) project funded through the Game Changing Development (GCD) program within NASA's Science Technology Mission Directorate (STMD).Document ID20180006102Acquisition SourceGlenn Research CenterDocument TypeTechnical Memorandum (TM)AuthorsBenavides, Gabriel F.*(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)*Kamhawi, Hani*(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)*Mackey, Jonathan A.*(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)*Haag, Thomas W.*(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)*Costa, Gustavo*(Vantage Partners, LLC Brook Park, OH, United States)*Date AcquiredOctober 4, 2018Publication DateAugust 1, 2018Subject CategorySpacecraft Propulsion And PowerReport/Patent NumberGRC-E-DAA-TN59052AIAA Paper-2018-4422E-19562NASA/TM-2018-219951Funding Number(s)CONTRACT_GRANT: NNC12BA01BWBS: WBS 469947.04.22.22Distribution LimitsPublicCopyrightPublic Use Permitted.Available DownloadsNameType20180006102.pdfSTIcloud_downloadcontent_copyvisibilityRelated RecordsIDRelationTitle20180005577See AlsoIodine Hall-Effect Electric Propulsion System Research, Development, and System Durability Demonstrationvisibility_offNo Preview Available
 No Fear Act | Freedom of Information Act | Office of the Inspector General | Agency Financial ReportsNASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices | NASA Guidelines for Quality of InformationDisclaimers, Copyright, Terms of Use | Accessibility | NASA OCIO | USA.gov | NASA.govContact Us | Site MapSTI LogoNASA Official: JoAnne R. Calhoun Site Curator: STI Compliance and Distribution Services Last Modified: September 12, 2024