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Next-Generation Ion Thruster Design Tool to Support Future Space Missions
Title: Principal Investigator
Phone: (303) 996-7527
Email: sudhakar@txcorp.com
Title: Business Official
Phone: (720) 720-1855
Email: lwr@txcorp.com
Contact: Ellen Reisnch Friese
Address:
Phone: () -
Type: Domestic Nonprofit Research Organization
Computational tools that accurately predict the performance of electric propulsiondevices are highly desirable and beneficial to NASA and the broader electric propulsioncommunity. The current state-of-the-art in electric propulsion modeling relies heavily onempirical data and on numerous computational "knobs". In Phase I of this project, wedeveloped the most detailed ion engine discharge chamber model that currently exists.This is a kinetic model that simulates all particles in the discharge chamber along with aphysically correct simulation of the electric fields. In addition, kinetic erosion models areincluded for modeling the ion-impingement effects on thruster component erosion. ForPhase II of this project, the goal is to make this sophisticated computer program a userfriendly program that NASA and other governmental and industrial customers are able toutilize. In Phase II we will implement a number of advanced numerical routines to bringthe computational time down to a commercially acceptable level. At the end of Phase II,NASA will have a highly sophisticated, user friendly ion engine discharge chambermodeling tool that will save time and expense in designing new and different size ionengines, as well as analyzing existing ion engine performance.
* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *