Design and Performance Tests of a Low Power DC Arcjet Thruster

Abstract

This paper describes a quasi-one-dimensional flow model which can be used for the design of an arcjet thruster. Owing to the simplicity of the model, the performance characteristics of the thruster can be calculated easily for finding an optimum configuration suitable for various missions. In order to verify adequacy of the model, a thruster was fabricated and its performance characteristics were measured. The experimental results were compared with the calculation predicted with the model. Both are in satisfactory agreement, and it is concluded that this flow model is a useful tool for the design of the arcjet thruster.