Abstract

Results of spectroscopic studies of electric discharge stages in the channel of an ablative pulsed plasma thruster (APPT) are presented. The initial stage has been shown to affect further discharge development. Shock surface ionization of the propellant has been found to be the dominant mechanism for “parasitic” propellant consumption of an APPT. The results of experimental studies of the dependence of propulsion efficiency and consumption on the distance between operating surfaces of APPT propellant bars are given.

中文翻译：

---

烧蚀脉冲等离子推进器中寄生推进剂消耗的形成机理

摘要

给出了烧蚀脉冲等离子推进器（APPT）通道中放电级的光谱研究结果。已经表明，初始阶段会影响放电的进一步发展。已经发现推进剂的冲击表面电离是APPT“寄生”推进剂消耗的主要机制。给出了推进效率和消耗量对APPT推进剂棒工作面之间距离的依赖性的实验研究结果。