NASA is currently evaluating the viability of Xenon ion thrusters on long duration interplanetary missions that may require up to 150,000 hours of operation. This project evaluates the effectiveness of shadow shielding in protecting the isolators and insulators of the ion thrusters from carbon deposition. Through experimentation and analysis the sticking coefficient of carbon on carbon-contaminated surfaces was determined. Preliminary analysis suggests that the current shielding configuration is inadequate for such long duration missions.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Clemons, Lucas Anthony
• Marker, Colin L.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 04B005M

Advisor

• Gatsonis, Nikolaos A.

Year

• 2009

Sponsor

• NASA Glenn Research Center

Date created

• 2009-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright