面向火星探测的CO_(2)工质射频离子推力器离子源性能研究

Research on the CO_(2) RF Ion Thruster’s Ion Source for Mars Exploration

火星是太阳系的行星之一,研究其磁场、大气、气候、构成以及地形地貌将有利于空间资源的开发和利用。CO_(2)是火星大气的主要成分,以CO_(2)为工质的电推进技术的研究对火星探测以及更远距离的深空探测具有重要意义。开展了CO_(2)射频离子推力器离子源点火试验;使用朗缪尔探针诊断腔体内的等离子体参数,并将其和地面试验中常用的Ar工质下的结果进行对比;研究了射频功率对CO_(2)工质腔内等离子体参数的影响;对推力器离子源栅极施加直流电压,进行离子束流引出试验,分析了屏栅电压、射频功率、工质流量和栅极透明度对推力器离子源栅极电流参数的影响。

As one of the planets in the solar system,the study of Mars’magnetic field,atmosphere,climate,composition and topography is conducive to the development and utilization of space resources.CO_(2)is the main component of Mars atmosphere.The study of electric propulsion technology using CO_(2)as propellant can be of great significance to Mars exploration and other deep space exploration.In this paper,the CO_(2)RIT’s ion source was used as the research object.First,the ignition experiment of the CO_(2)RIT’s ion source was carried out.Next the plasma parameters in the discharge chamber were diagnosed by Langmuir probe,and the results were compared with those in Ar,which is the common propellant used in ground experiment.While the influence of RF power on plasma parameters in CO_(2)is also studied.Then a DC voltage was applied to the grid system to study the beam.The influences of screen grid voltage,RF power,mass flow rate and grid transparency on the grid current of the thruster’s ion source were analyzed.