Thrust Vector Control Using Multi-Channel Hall-Effect Thrusters

*† A Hall thruster design is presented, in which multiple discharge chambers share a common magnetic circuit, cathode, and power supply. This arrangement provides not only most of the advantages commonly attributed to multi-thruster assemblies, or clusters, but also facilitates control of the direction of thrust without the need for a complex gimbal mechanism. In addition, it reduces the mass penalty associated with clustering multiple, independent thrusters. Several conceptual designs are presented, and the thrust steering performance is discussed. Finally, the main electrical propulsion sub-system trade-offs associated with such an architecture are presented.

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