The High Power Electric Propulsion (HiPEP) Ion Thruster

Nuclear electric ion propulsion for three deep space missions

“…A similar ion engine operated for 30,000 h in an extended lifetime test [13]. NASA's next generation 40 kW xenon ion engine, HiPEP, utilizes rectangular electrodes made from graphite and has demonstrated a specific impulse of 8000 s at 75% efficiency [14]. This system could be used on future nuclear-powered space probes traveling to the outer planets and interstellar space.…”

Recent advances in nuclear powered electric propulsion for space exploration

“…The JIMO-HIPEP team explored various plasma production options, including DC hollow cathode and AC microwave discharges. [27] Both approaches were used during the HIPEP project, demonstrating that either option can be used with the rectangular chamber design. Using the microwave source, the HIPEP thruster was operated up to 16 kW, with power limited by the available microwave supply.…”

Electric Propulsion Concepts Enabled by High Power Systems for Space Exploration

“…These values are obtained with xenon propellant at accelerating voltage levels of 1 to 2 kV. Recent work for higher power robotic missions to the outer planets has focused on increasing operating voltage, and therefore Isp, up to 6000 -9000 s. 6 An alternative approach to reaching higher I sp values is to use krypton or argon as propellants -because they are lighter, the applied voltage for high I sp is lower than for xenon. Depending on the choice of propellant, the voltages required would range from 2 up to 10 kV or more.…”

“…In one life test, the cathode cover eroded completely away, although the cathode continued operating. Recent thruster designs at the 20 -40 kWe level are for 15,000 h. 6,9 Scaling to high power The majority of power input to ion thrusters is deposited in the exhaust beam, so that P e ~ j b A g V b . J b is the ion current flux through the grids, A g is the grid area, and V b is the voltage to which the ions are accelerated.…”