Performance Testing of Various Nozzle Designs for Water Electrolysis Thruster
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-4-2016
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to develop new nozzles for the HYDROSTM thruster to improve the current flight performance. This research consists of a base line test of the factory nozzle, as well as testing of three additional nozzles with different characteristics. Experiments were conducted with different plenum pressures to ensure the thruster is throttleable. Thrust data was collected through measuring the impulse bit of each firing using a torsional balance thrust stand. Analysis of the thruster performance included calculations of thrust, specific impulse, and coefficient of thrust. Experimental results of all four nozzles will show how the nozzle length and expansion ratio affect thrust performance for a short duration engine.
Source Publication
54th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting
Recommended Citation
Liu, Y. J. M., Hartsfield, C. R., & Liu, D. (2016). Performance Testing of Various Nozzle Designs for Water Electrolysis Thruster. 54th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, AIAA 2016-0954. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2016-0954
Comments
Conference Session: Micro-Propulsion, Plasma Discharges, Autoignition
Author note: Yuen Liu was an AFIT graduate student at the time of this article. (AFIT-ENY-MS-16-M-225, March 2016.)