Research on the neutralization control of the RF ion micropropulsion system for the‘Taiji-1’satellite mission

To achieve the neutralization control requirements of the radio-frequency(RF)ion microthruster(μRIT)in the‘Taiji-1’satellite mission,we proposed an active neutralization control solution that is based on the carbon nanotube field emission technology.The carbon nanotube field emission neutralizer(CNTN)has the characteristics of light weight,small size,and propellantless,which is especially suitable for the neutralization control tasks of ion microthrusters.The Institute of Mechanics,Chinese Academy of Sciences,in collaboration with Tsinghua University,has successfully developed a CNTN to meet mission requirements.On the ground,the feasibility of cooperation working betweenμRIT and CNTN was fully verified,as well as the simulation and experimental study of neutralization control strategy,which finally passed the engineering assessment test.Since the launch of‘Taiji-1’satellite on 31 August,2019,the RF ion micropropulsion system has successfully completed nearly one hundred test missions in space.The test results indicate that CNTN does not have performance degradation,and the neutralization control strategy is effective.

Study of electron-extraction characteristics of an inductively coupled radio-frequency plasma neutralizer

Inductively coupled radio-frequency（RF） plasma neutralizer（RPN） is an insert-free device that can be employed as an electron source in electric propulsion applications.Electron-extraction characteristics of the RPN are related to the bulk plasma parameters and the device＇s geometry.Therefore,the effects of different electron-extraction apertures and operational parameters upon the electron-extraction characteristics are investigated according to the global nonambipolar flow and sheath model.Moreover,these models can also be used to explain why the electron-extraction characteristics of the RPN strongly depend upon the formation of the anode spot.During the experimental study,two types of anode spots are observed.Each of them has unique characteristics of electron extraction.Moreover,the hysteresis of an anode spot is observed by changing the xenon volume-flow rates or the bias voltages.In addition,the rapid ignited method,gas-utilization factor,electron-extraction cost and other factors that need to be considered in the design of the RPN are also discussed.