
Based on the success of the Japanese asteroid explorer Hayabusa, the ECR ion thruster μ10 will be installed in Hayabusa's successor, Hayabusa-2, and is scheduled to be commercialized for use in geostationary satellites within the next three years. To increase the thrust force of the μ10 as much as possible without major design changes, luminescence measurements were conducted using an optical fiber probe. The probe gave an internal view of the μ10, and it was discovered that there was plasma in the waveguide. As the plasma, the density of which is higher than the cut-off density, interferes with the transmittance of microwaves, the propellant injection location was changed. In addition to the change in propellant injection location, the grid system was also refined. These improvements increased the thrust force from 8.0 mN to 10.1 mN with a decrease in specific impulse by 40 sec from 3200 sec to 3160 sec.
Luminescence, Ion Thruster μ10, Electron Cyclotron Resonance, Thrust Force, Optical Fiber Probe
Luminescence, Ion Thruster μ10, Electron Cyclotron Resonance, Thrust Force, Optical Fiber Probe
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 8 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
