Fundamental Research of High Specific Impulse Microwave Discharge Ion Engine

Abstract

An ion engine with 10,000 sec-class high specific impulse is expected as primary propulsion for interplane-tary space mission with extremely high delta-V, and needs high voltage for ion acceleration over 10 kV. The microwave discharge ion source without solid electrodes can supply sophisticated technologies and simple composition on electrical isolation for such a high voltage. New electro-static grid made of carbon-carbon composite material was fabricated based on the numerical simulation of " igx " code. The " µ10HIsp " ion engine combining the ECR ion source, microwave discharge neutralizer, DC blocks, propellant isolators, carbon-carbon composite grid and so on generated successfully a plasma beam with 10,000 sec specific impulse using 15 kV acceleration voltage. 5-9f $N @b L@