Satellite propulsion spectral signature detection and analysis

Authors

Pamela Wheeler, Air Force Institute of Technology
Richard G. Cobb, Air Force Institute of Technology
Carl R. Hartsfield, Air Force Institute of Technology
Benjamin Prince, Air Force Research Laboratory

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

3-4-2017

Abstract

Excerpt: Space Situational Awareness (SSA) is of utmost importance in today's space dependent, congested and contested environment. The health of a propulsion system is vital to ensure proper function and thus proper mission placement. Electric propulsion is gaining popularity for satellite propulsion systems due to higher efficiencies, specific impulse, and the savings it offers in both spacecraft mass and launch costs. Electron temperature is a commonly used diagnostic to determine the efficiency of a Hall thruster. Recent papers have coordinated near infrared (NIR) spectral measurements of ionization lines in xenon and krypton to electron temperature measurements. This research will characterize NIR plume emissions for a 600 Watt Hall thruster using both xenon and krypton propellants for a variety of observation angles and operating power levels.

Comments

This conference paper is available through subscription or purchase from IEEE, using the DOI link below.

Author note: Pamela Wheeler was an AFIT PhD candidate at the time of this conference. (AFIT-ENY-DS-17-S-063, September 2017).

DOI

10.1109/AERO.2017.7943963

Source Publication

2017 IEEE Aerospace Conference

Recommended Citation

P. Wheeler, R. Cobb, C. Hartsfield and B. Prince, "Satellite propulsion spectral signature detection and analysis," 2017 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky, MT, USA, 2017, pp. 1-10, doi: 10.1109/AERO.2017.7943963.