Segmented ion engine operation and performance

The continuing trend toward smaller and smaller planetary spacecraft to enable the use of smaller, less expensive launch vehicles has nmtivated an examination of new approaches to reduce the sire. and mass of xenon ion propulsion systems for these new spacecraft. A system is proposed which is based on the use of a single 4x15-cm segnxmted ion thruster operated horn a single internally redundant power processing unit. An engine input power throttling range of 380 to 4640 W is projected. The design and operation over a power range of 600 to 2400 W of a laboratory nwdel segrmmted ion engine equipped with carbon-carbon grids is presented. There appear to be no problems a..sociated with interactions with multiple ion sources operating fkom a single set of high voltage power supplies, neutralization of multiple ion sources tkom a single centratly-located neutralizer, or operation of flat, thin carbon-carbon grids.