HiPEP on:
[Wikipedia]
[Google]
[Amazon]
High Power Electric Propulsion (HiPEP) is a variation of
ion thruster for use in nuclear electric propulsion applications.
ions are produced using a combination of
microwave
Microwave is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from about one meter to one millimeter corresponding to frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz respectively. Different sources define different frequency ran ...
and
magnetic
Magnetism is the class of physical attributes that are mediated by a magnetic field, which refers to the capacity to induce attractive and repulsive phenomena in other entities. Electric currents and the magnetic moments of elementary particle ...
fields. The ionization is achieved through a process called
Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR). In ECR, the small number of free electrons present in the neutral gas gyrate around the static magnetic field lines. The injected microwaves' frequency is set to match this gyrofrequency and a resonance is established. Energy is transferred from the right-hand
polarized portion of the
microwave
Microwave is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from about one meter to one millimeter corresponding to frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz respectively. Different sources define different frequency ran ...
to the electrons. This energy is then transferred to the bulk gas/
plasma
Plasma or plasm may refer to:
Science
* Plasma (physics), one of the four fundamental states of matter
* Plasma (mineral), a green translucent silica mineral
* Quark–gluon plasma, a state of matter in quantum chromodynamics
Biology
* Blood pla ...
via the rare - yet important - collisions between electrons and neutrals. During these collisions, electrons can be knocked free from the neutrals, forming ion-electron pairs. The process is a highly efficient means of creating a plasma in low density gases. Previously the electrons required were provided by a
hollow cathode.
Specifications
The thruster itself is in the 20-50 kW class, with a
specific impulse of 6,000-9,000 seconds, and a propellant throughput capability exceeding 100 kg/kW.
The goal of the project, as of June 2003, was to achieve a
technology readiness level
Technology readiness levels (TRLs) are a method for estimating the maturity of technologies during the acquisition phase of a program. TRLs enable consistent and uniform discussions of technical maturity across different types of technology. TR ...
of 4-5 within 2 years.
The pre-prototype HiPEP produced 670 mN of thrust at a power level of 39.3 kW using 7.0 mg/s of fuel giving a specific impulse of 9620 s.
Page 8 of the September 2004 HiPEP report NASA/TM—2004-213194 Downrated to 24.4 kW, the HiPEP used 5.6 mg/s of fuel giving a specific impulse of 8270 s and 460 mN of thrust.
Project and development history
Phase 1 was early 2003.[''HiPEP Project'' Jan 2004]
/ref>
Current status
See also
*List of spacecraft with electric propulsion
In chronological order, spacecraft are listed equipped with electric space propulsion. This includes both cruise engines and/or thrusters for attitude and orbit control. It is not specified whether the given engine is the sole means of propulsion ...
* Solar electric propulsion
* Exploration of Jupiter
References
External links
NASA GRC Media Packet on HiPEP
*
{{spacecraft propulsion
Ion engines