Passive Two-Phase Thermal Management System for Hall Thruster

As NASA envisions to develop higher power Hall effect thrusters for large payload (or even crew member) transportation, thermal management becomes a bottleneck. In response to NASA technology roadmap ldquo;heat rejection system for in-space propulsionrdquo; (TA 2.4.4). Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) in collaboration with the University of Michigan proposes to develop an innovative thermal management system for hall thrusters utilizing two-phase and passive cooling techniques. Multiple heat pipes constructed with advanced geometry and wick will be integrated strategically in the hall thruster to manage both plasma heating and ohmic heating from magnetic coils. Working fluid and envelope material will be selected based on thermal, electrical and magnetic properties. A proof-of-concept prototype will be fabricated and its thermal performance under the influence of magnetic and electrical fields will be experimentally characterized. A full-scale hall thruster with two-phase cooling system will be designed and its SWaP benefits will be analyzed jointly by ACT and the collaborator.