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DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OF SPACECRAFT' IN

SERT I ION THRUSTOR FLIGHT TEST'

by H a r o l d Gold, Raymond J. Rulis, F r a n k A. Maruna, J r . ,

and W i l l i a m H. H a w e r s a a t
Lewis Research Center .,,-7 , . ,i :-,., _,.
,", ' , , I t
Cleveland, Ohio
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I .

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 1964

 TECH LIBRARY KAFB. NM

0352330

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION O F SPACECRAFT IN

SERT H ION THRUSTOR FLIGHT TEST

by H a r o l d Gold, Raymond J. R u l i s , Frank A. M a r u n a s J r . ,

and W i l l i a m H. H a w e r s a a t

L e w i s Research Center
Cleveland, Ohio

I
i

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

,E-2719
 TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM X-52050

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OF SPACECRAFT I N

SERT I ION THRUSTOR FZIGHT TEST

by Harold Gold, Raymond J. Rulis, Frank A. Maruna, Jr.,

and W i l l i a m H. Hawersaat

ABSTRACT

The SERT I spacecraft w a s flown i n t o a b a l l i s t i c t r a j e c t o r y on

J u l y 20, 1964, by t h e Scout launch vehicle. The t r a j e c t o r y provided an
experimental period of 47 minutes, during which t h e a l t i t u d e of t h e space-
c r a f t w a s above 250 n a u t i c a l m i l e s . The spacecraft c a r r i e d two small ion
t h r u s t o r s and telemetered measurements of a l l major t h r u s t o r operating
parameters. One of t h e t h r u s t o r s operated f o r approximately 30 minutes,
during which time t h e measured t h r u s t o r v e r i f i e d t h e establishment of a
n e u t r a l i o n beam.

I
 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION O F SPACECRAFT I N

SERT I I O N THRUSTOR FLIGHT TEST

by Harold Gold, Raymond J. Rulis, Frank A. Marum, Jr.,

and W i l l i a m H. Hawersaat

Lewis Research Center

cn SUMMARY
2
N
I The SERT I spacecraft was flown i n t o a b a l l i s t i c t r a j e c t o r y - o n
J u l y 20, 1964, by the Scout launch vehicle. The t r a j e c t o r y provided an
experimental period of 47 minutes, during which the a l t i t u d e of the space-
c r a f t w a s above 250 n a u t i c a l miles. The spacecraft c a r r i e d two small ion
t h r u s t o r s and telemetered measurements of a l l major t h r u s t o r operating
parameters. One of the t h r u s t o r s operated f o r approximately 30 minutes,
during which time the measured t h r u s t o r v e r i f i e d the establishment of a
n e u t r a l ion beam.

INTRODUCTION

The SFBT I f l i g h t was the f i r s t space t e s t i n t h e ion propulsion

development program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The primary objective of the f l i g h t was t o v e r i f y the achievement of a
neutralized ion beam and the consequent development of t h r u s t .

The fundamental processes i n ion t h r u s t o r s a r e production of propellant

ions, coherent acceleration of ions by e l e c t r i c a l f i e l d s , and neutraliza-
t i o n of the discharge beam. O f t h e f i r s t two processes, much was known
6 years ago a t the o u t s e t of t h r u s t o r development. Furthermore, the problems
involved i n these processes, such a s ionization e f f i c i e n c i e s and electrode
l i f e , can be experimentally investigated i n vacuum chambers with reason-
a b l e c e r t a i n t y of r e s u l t s . The f i n a l and c r i t i c a l process of ion beam
n e u t r a l i z a t i o n was not investigated p r i o r t o the development of ion t h r u s t o r s .
Although beam n e u t r a l i z a t i o n has been achieved i n vacuum chambers, the un-
c e r t a i n e f f e c t s of e l e c t r o n emission from chamber w a l l s and of r e s i d u a l gas
molecules on the n e u t r a l i z a t i o n process has made these r e s u l t s subject t o
doubt. The s t a t u s of ion propulsion technology a t the time of the f l i g h t
reported herein i s given i n references 1 and 2 .

Development of t h e SERT I spacecraft w a s begun i n t h e middle of 1 9 6 1

under the management of the krshall Space Flight Center. A t the end of
1961, management w a s t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e Lewis Research Center. During the
continuous period from January 1963 t o June 1964 extensive t e s t s of the ion
t h r u s t o r s , t h e i r high voltage power converters, and a l l spacecraft systems
were c a r r i e d out i n the L e w i s Research Center 15- by 60-foot vacuum chamber.

X-52050
 2

F i n a l q u a l i f i c a t i o n t e s t s of t h e f l i g h t s p c e c r a f t were a l s o performed i n
t h i s chamber.

The purpose of t h i s r e p o r t i s t o present a t an e a r l y date those signifi-

cant r e s u l t s that could be i n t e r p r e t e d without d e t a i l e d analysis or data
reduction. The data w i l l be r e f i n e d subsequently and a d e t a i l e d analysis
made.

The solution t o the many t e c h n i c a l problems t h a t arose during t h e

nearly 3-year period of development of the SERT I spacecraft has required
the e f f o r t s and s k i l l s of many groups and individuals. The members of the
Lewis staff who contributed s i g n i f i c a n t l y and the p r i n c i p a l area t o which
they contributed a r e tabulated below:

Contributor Area

James F. B e l l Data Reduction

Martin J. Conroy Ground Support

Ronald J . Cybulski Thrustor Systems

Edward J. Domino Telemetry

Harold Gold Project Manager

Guy S. Gurski Mechanical Systems

William H. Hawersaat Test Director

Robert M. Jab0 Environmental Test

Charles W. Knoop Power Converters

Robert H. Kuhnapfel Spacecraft R e l i a b i l i t y &

Q u a l i t y Assurance

J. Thomas Kotnik Power C onver t e r s

Vincent R. lalli Component R e l i a b i l i t y &

Q u a l i t y Assurance

Robert R. Love11 Thrust Detection Systems

James J. Pelouch, Jr. Component R e l i a b i l i t y &

Q u a l i t y Assurance

Frank A. Maruna, Jr. Spacecraft Contract Technical

Monitor

William C . Nieberding Thrust Readout System

 3

Contributor Area

Raymond J. Rulis Spacecraft Manager

George R. Sharp Mechanical Design

Daniel M. Shellhammer Bean! Probe

Joseph B. Talbot Vehicle Coordination

David R . Van der Cook Telemetry

Ralph J. Zavesky Mechanical Design

SPACECRAFT
The general configuration of the spacecraft during launch and i n f r e e
f l i g h t i s shown i n figures l ( a ) and ( b ) , respectively. A s depicted, the
spacecraft i s separated from the Scout f o u r t h stage a f t e r t r a j e c t o r y in-
s e r t i o n , and the t h u s t o r s a r e deployed outward. The spacecraft i s spin
s t a b i l i z e d with the spin induced by the fourth-stage rocket. The t h r u s t o r s ,
which a r e oriented t o apply a torque about the spin a x i s , a r e operated
a l t e r n a t e l y , and t h r u s t i s detected from a measurement of the changes i n the
spacecraft t o t a l angular momentum. A photograph of t h e spacecraft i n the
f r e e - f l i g h t configuration i s shown. i n f i g u r e l ( c ) .

The basic support s t n i c t u r e consists of a f l a t , c i r c u l a r baseplate

supported on a c y l i n d r i c a l pedestal. The baseplate has a ribbed under-
structureland i s machined from a forged magnesiun b i l l e t ; t h e supporting
pedestal i s a l s o machined from a magnesium S i l l e t . The pedestal i s clamped
t o a conical mgnesium adapter t h a t mates the spacecraft t o t h e Scout
fourth s t a g e , The adapter-pedestal clamp i s opened by f i r i n g explosive
b o l t s t o separate t h e spacecraft from t h e Scout f o u r t h stage.

A welded aluminum 'box frame i s mounted on the top center of the base-
p l a t e . In t h i s s t r u c t u r e and i n the pedestal below it a r e mounted the
basic spacecraft gear: the programer, the power d i s t r i b u t o r , the
telemetry s i g n a l conditioning and switching gear, and the command receiver.
The heavy components, such as b a t t e r i e s and power converters, a r e mounted
on both sides of the baseplate beside t h e c e n t r a l frame and pedestal.
This mass d i s t r i b u t i o n provides a dominant r o l l a x i s moment of i n e r t i a .
The t h r u s t o r mounting arms a r e hinged near the outer edge of the baseplate.
The deployment lidcage i s locked t o the c e n t r a l pedestal and i s released
by an explosively actuated l a t c h t o permit outward deployment of the
t h u s t o r s . The deploymeat i s c e n t r i f u g a l l y actuated with the r a t e l i m i t e d
by hydraulic d a m p e r s . The weight of the spacecraft i s 375 pounds.
A small separation v e l o c i t y between the Spacecraft and t h e vehicle i s
imparted by a h e l i c a l s p r i c g that i s coaxial with t h e spacecraft spin a x i s
and i s located i n t h e con_ical adapter. Cancellation of t h i s v e l o c i t y
d i f f e r e n t i a l by motor t h r u s t t a i l off i s prevented by a t h r u s t misalining
device t h a t c o n s i s t s of a sirtgle weighted cable t h a t i s wrapped t o provide
motor casing despin and tumble upon release. The cable is released a few
seconds after spacecraft separation. Precession due to separation disturb-
ances is suppressed by sliding weight dampers.

ION THRUSTORS

Basic Characteristics

The nominal thrustor characteristics and operating parameters of the

two thrustors are shown in the following table.

Electron- Contact-
bombardment ionization
thrustor thustor

Ion-beam outside diameter, in. 3.9 3.2

Overall thustor diameter, in. 7.5 4.0

Thrustor weight, lb 9.3 14

Propellant Mercury Cesium

Specific impulse, sec 4900 8050

Total input power, w 1400 610

Power efficiency, percent 48.5 32.2

Propellant-utilization.efficiency,percent 80 96
.-. -
Thrust, millipound 6.4 1.25

IBeam currenil, ma 2 75

Contact-Ionization Thrustor

A schemktic diagram of the contact-ionization thrustor is shown in

figure 2(a). This thrustor was developed under NASA contract by the Hughes
Research Laboratories. Cesium vapor flows from an electrically heated
boiler through an electrically heated porous tungsten ionizer. The porous
tungsten also serves as the propellant-flow-control restriction. Propellant
feed control is accomplished though regulation of the boiler temperature.
A solenoid valve, which is between the boiler and the ionizer, is employed
for turnon or turnoff of the propellant flow. The electrode array consists
of focus, accelerator, and decelerator electrodes. The focus electrode is
 5

held a t a p o s i t i v e p o t e n t i a l of 4500 v o l t s above the spacecraft p o t e n t h l

i n common with the ionizer. The accelerator electrode i s held a t 2000 v o l t s
below t h e spacecraft p o t e n t i a l , and t h e decelerator electrode remains a t
the spacecraft p o t e n t i a l .

The t h r u s t o r c a r r i e s two beam-neutralizing systems that a r e programed

t o operate a l t e r n a t e l y . One n e u t r a l i z i n g system consists of a tantalum
filament that thermally emits electrons i n t o the ion beam j u s t downstream
of the decelerator electrode. The second n e u t r a l i z i n g system c o n s i s t s of
an electrode controlled electron gun that i n j e c t s electrons i n t o the ion
beam downstream of t h e accelerator electrode. During operation of t h i s
system, the gun-emitter p o t e n t i a l with respect t o the ion-beam decelerator
p o t e n t i a l and t h e control-electrode-to-emitter p o t e n t i a l a r e slowly varied
over a range of 0 t o 50 v o l t s . The object of t h i s v a r i a t i o n i s t o map the
conditions over which an electron t r a p can be established.

I n order t o reduce the entrainment and adsorption of gases i n the

propellant feed system and i n the tungsten ionizer during t h e launch period,
the t h r u s t o r assembly i s mounted t o the spacecraft i r r an evacuated pod.
The pod i s opened i n space by e j e c t i o n of the pod cap a t the electrode end.
A photograph of the t h r u s t o r taken during vacuum-chamber operation that
shows the open pod configuration i s presented i n f i g u r e 2 ( b ) . The pod
enclosure permits t h e t h r u s t o r t o operate very e a r l y i n the f l i g n t , and
consequently t h i s t h r u s t o r i s programed t o operate during the f i r s t half
of the f l i g h t period.

Electron-Bombardment Thrustor

A cutaway model of the electron-bombardment t h r u s t o r i s shown i n

f i g u r e 3 ( a ) , and an e l e c t r i c a l schematic diagram i s shown i n f i g u r e 3 ( b ) .
This t h r u s t o r was invented by Harold R. Kaufman of t h e NASA Lewis Research
Center. Mercury vapor flows from an e l e c t r i c a l l y heated b o i l e r i n t o t h e
ionization chamber. The r a t e of propellant feed i s controlled by a porous
s t a i n l e s s - s t e e l plug through regulation of the b o i l e r temperature. A circu-
lar b a f f l e p l a t e i s located j u s t downstream of the plug t o induce uniform
d i s t r i b u t i o n of the mercury vapor. The bombarding eiectrons a r e emitted
from a tantalum filament cathode and a r e a t t r a c t e d t o a c y l i n d r i c a l s h e l l
anode that i s 50 v o l t s p o s i t i v e with respect t o the cathode. The anode
s h e l l and the c y l i n d r i c a l ionization chamber w a l l a r e coaxial with the
t h r u s t a x i s . A coaxial magnetic f i e l d i s generated by a c o i l t h a t i s wound
around the ionization chamber. The magnetic f i e l d causes electrons t o move
from the cathode t o the anode i n a complex path and thereby increases the
probability of c o l l i s i o n with mercury atoms. A perforated screen electrode
covers the downstream end of the ionization chamber. The ionization chamber
and the screen electrode a r e maintained a t a p o t e o t i a l of 2500 v o l t s above the
spacecraft p o t e n t i a l , and t h e accelerator electrode i s maintained a t
2000 v o l t s below the spacecraft p o t e n t i a l . A s i n the case of t h e contact-
 6

ionization thrustor, t h e b o i l e r temperature i s regulated t o maintain the

propellant feed r a t e s l i g h t l y below the value that would produce a space-
charge-limited ion-beam c u r r e n t .

The beam neutralizing system c o n s i s t s of an e l e c t r i c a l l y heated tantalum

filament that i s p a r t l y immersed i n t h e beam j u s t downstream of the accel-
e r a t o r electrode.

A s shown i n f i g u r e 3 ( b ) t h e n e u t r a l i z e r filament i s heated by current

from a low-voltage b a t t e r y . I n the normal operating mode, the b a t t e r y i s
connected t o the spacecraft ground. Resistance i s i n s e r t e d i n t o t h e ground
l i n e a t programed i n t e r v a l s s o t h a t the e f f e c t of n e u t r a l i z e r poten€ial
may be studied.,

The f l i g h t model of the t h r u s t o r i s shown i n f i g u r e 3 ( c ) . The e x t e r n a l

screening, which i s grounded t o t h e spacecraft, functions t o block the flow
of electrons from the n e u t r a l i z e r filament t o the walls of the ionization
chamber

Power Supplies

The e l e c t r i c a l power system f o r t h r u s t o r operation c o n s i s t s of one

storage b a t t e r y and a separate converter f o r each t h r u s t o r . The power con-
v e r t e r f o r the contact-ioaization t h r u s t o r supplies a l l power t o the t h r u s t o r .
The electron-bombardent t h r u s t o r u t i l i z e s two a d d i t i o n a l b a t t e r i e s , which
feed the magnetic f i e l d c o i l and the n e u t r a l i z e r filament d i r e c t l y . The
telemeter system i s powered by a separate b a t t e r y . All b a t t e r i e s a r e
m u l t i c e l l s i l v e r - z i n c , The t h r u s t o r b a t t e r y i s a 56-volt assembly housed
i n two sealed magnesim cases. The magnetic f i e l d and t h e n e u t r a l i z e r f i l a -
ment b a t t e r i e s a r e 6- and 10-volt assemblies, respectively. Because of the
high voltage l e v e l upon which t h e two direct-feed bombardment-thrustor
b a t t e r i e s f l o a t , these assemblies c o n s i s t of sealed c e l l s housed i n f i b e r -
g l a s s cases.

The two t h r u s t o r power Converters, which a r e s i m i l a r i n method of

operation, use t r a n s i s t o r choppers, transformer voltage amplification, and
s o l i d - s t a t e r e c t i f i e r s . The chopper t r a n s i s t o r s a r e driven by c o n t r o l
o s c i l l a t o r s through which voltage and current a r e regulated. The b a t t e r y
i s d i r e c t l y connected t o the chopper t r a n s i s t o r s . Converter turnon and
turnoff i s controlled by switching power t o t h e c o n t r o l o s c i l l a t o r s . The
two direct-feed bombardmat-thrustor b a t t e r i e s a r e switched by high voltage
r e l a y s t h a t a r e encapsulated i n the f i b e r - g l a s s cases.

For arci_n_gt r a n s i e n t protection, t h e converters incorporate e l e c t r o -

s t a t i c shielding i n transformers, breakdown-diode overvoltage pr'otection
f o r chopper t r a n s i s t o r s , and output current-limiting through feedback and
through current l i m i t i n g r e s i s t o r s betwees t h e converter and t h r u s t o r .
For protection against arcing and corona discharge within the converters,
a l l high voltage sections a r e pressurized. Conductors t e h i n d t i n g - a t high
voltage points 0 7 1 the converters a r e covered with molded insulation
 7

a t the junction. Wire connections t o the contact-ionization t h r u s t o r a r e

made through bare sleeve-to-pin j o i n t s , which a r e mechanically held i n
s t r u c t u r e s t h a t permit rapid outgassing. Wire connections t o the electron-
bombardment t h r u s t o r a r e made through bare terminal boards. Conventional
connectors a r e incapable of outgassing rapidly enough.

IlVSTRUMENTATION

E l e c t r i c a l Parameters

Spacecraft performance monitoring follows conventional telemetry

p r a c t i c e . High-voltage converter parameters a r e measured i n AC t o permit
transformer voltage reduction. For transmission of parameters, such a s
the magnetic f i e l d current i n t h e e l e c t r o n - b o m b a r d n t t h u s t o r , which i s
a d i r e c t current of approximately 15 amperes flowing i n a low-resistance
c i r c u i t t h a t i s grounded a t 2500 v o l t s above telemetry ground, current
transducers a r e used. Special i n s t m e n t a t i o n f o r diagnosis of t h r u s t o r
performance consists of a hot-wire probe t h a t sweeps across the discharge
beam of the electron-bombardment t h r u s t o r t o obtain the Seam p r o f i l e and
an e l e c t r i c f i e l d meter t o d e t e c t the presence and strength of e l e c t r i c
f i e l d s surrounding the spacecraft.

Thrust-Measurement Systems

T h e e independent systems a r e employed f o r t h r u s t measurement through

spin-rate detection. Two of the systems a r e independent s o l a r - c e l l spin-
period detectors. The t h i r d system. u t i l i z e s an accelerometer that i s so
mounted t h a t it senses r a d i a l acceleration along an a x i s that passes
through the spacecraft center of gravity.

Each s o l a r - c e l l system employs a s i l i c o n photocell t h a t i s housed

behind a narrow s l i t . The c e l l s a r e mounted 1 80' apar'c on t h e r periphery
of the s p c e c r a f t with the s l i t p a r a l l e l t o the spin a x i s . Each solar
c e l l generates a pulse per revolution t h a t i s transmitted through independent
telemeter l i n k s . The received pulses a r e fed i n t o clock-controlled elec-
t r o n i c counters f o r period measurement.

The accelerometer system provides a frequency modulated output with a

center frequency of approximately 200 cps that i s f e d d i r e c t l y t o each of
the two transmitters on board. A t the receiving s t a t i o n s , the accelerometer
frequency i s extracted by a l i n e a r phase s h i f t f i l t e r and fed i n t o preset
counters.

Through the associated changes i n r a d i a l acceleration, t h r u s t causes

a d r i f t i n the accelerometer frequency, and spacecraft precession causes
a sinusoidal frequency v a r i a t i o n . For r e a l t i m e readout, an FM discriminator
i s used along with the preset counters. The output of the discriminator i s
displayed on a pen recorder.
 8

The telemeter system f o r the SERT I spacecraft c o n s i s t s of two inde-

pendent FM/FM systems, each transmitting a t an output power of 10 w a t t s .
Each transmitter receives s i g n a l s from three subcarrier o s c i l l a t o r s and
from the accelerometer. The subcarrier center frequencies a r e 1 . 7 , 7.35,
and 10.5 kilocycles. The subcarrier channels a r e u t i l i z e d as follows:
I

Frequency, Subcarrier
Mc frequency,
kc _ _ ~ _ _ _-
I
240.2 1.7 Command system data
7.35 S o l a r - c e l l pulse
10.5 Commutated (45 segments;
2 eames/sec)
.~

244.3 Programer data

S o l a r - c e l l pulse
Commutated ( 4 5 segments;
2 frameslsec )
-_
C r i t i c a l t h r u s t o r e l e c t r i c a l data a r e c a r r i e d on both telemeter links.

corn SYSTEM

The command system u t i l i z e s a 1700-watt AM transmitter feeding-the

Wallops I s l a n d Tiros-Kennedy antenna. Command receiver r e l a y closure i s
provided upon reception of two audio tones, 1 second a p a r t . Ten separate
r e l a y s a r e provided. The command system provides programer function
backup and modification and on-off c o n t r o l of the following t h r u s t o r sub-
systems :

(1)Contact-ionization t h r u s t o r : feed valve and b o i l e r heater

( 2 ) Electron-bombardment t h r u s t o r : magnetic f i e l d

RESULTS

Launch Vehicle and S p x e c r a f t Performance

- Tra, ectory. - The launch vehicle provided a t r a j e c t o r y that was close

t o the predicted one and a t e s t time a t a l t i t u d e s above 250 n a u t i c a l miles
of 47 minutes. Spacecraft separation from the f o u r t h stage occurred a s
programed, 2 minutes a f t e r burnout. Preliminary radar information indicated
t h a t following separation the f o u r t h stage motor casing followed a t r a j e c t o r y
s u f f i c i e n t l y d i f f e r e n t from that of the spacecraft t o conclude that the
t h r u s t misalining device performed i t s function.
 9

SpaceGraft motion. -The spin r a t e of the spacecraft a t separation

was 106,Trpm. T h u s t o r deployment reduced the spin r a t e t o 8 7 rpm without
a perceptible increase i n precession angle. Throughout the f l i g h t , pre-
cession damping was evident through a reduction i n precession angle of
about 50 percent a t the end of the f l i g h t .

Power
___ -~ supplies. - A l l b a t t e r y power sources f o r both t h r u s t o r s func-
tioned normally throughout t h e f l i g h t and indicated ample reserve ' a t t h e
end of the experiment. The i n t e r n a l temperature of the power converter
f o r t h e electron-bombardment t h r u s t o r showed a n o m 1 r i s e from 6 5 O t o looo F
a t the end of t h e f l i g h t . A s l i g h t r i s e i n i n t e r n a l pressure from 24.5
t o 25 pounds per square inch absolute r e f l e c t e d the increase i n operating
temperature. The operating portions of the converter f o r the contact-
ionization t h r u s t o r showed temperature r i s e s that would have been within
operational l i m i t s had a normal f l i g h t sequence been followed.

-_
Thrust-measurement system.
~ - All t h r e e independent systems for
t h r u s t measurement and the supporting ground s t a t i o n equipment, both a t
Wallops and Bermuda Stations fumtioned without apparent malfunction or
d r i f t throughout the f l i g h t . The output of the accelerometer FM discrimi-
nator a s recorded i n r e a l time i s shown on the sanple t r a c e of f i g u r e 4.
A s i l l u s t r a t e d i n t h e figure, the thrustor-off period i n which the spin
r a t e i s constant r e s u l t s i n a constant discriminator output voltage and
hence a v e r t i c a l l i n e on the recorder. The angular acceleration of the
spacecraft caused by the production of t h r u s t i s c l e a r l y evident i n the
sloping l i n e on the recorder. The precession of the spacecraft i s evident
a s a small sinusoidal s i g n a l on the recorder t r a c e . I n order t o u t i l i z e
a very high recorder gain f o r maximum t k u s t resolution, the precession
s i g n a l was attenuated by a low pass f i l t e r with a break frequency of
0 . 1 cps. The response of t h i s f i l t e r and of the recorder accounts f o r the
apparent l a g i n response of t h r u s t t o ion-beam current. The a c t u a l response
i s e s s e n t i a l l y instantaneous.

Calculations performed t o date show good agreement i n spin r a t e and

angular acceleration between sun sensor and accelerometer data.

TePemetg system. - The telemetry receiving a n t e m a system. used a t

Wallops Station during the f l i g h t consisted of a high-gain ( 2 9 db) and a
medium-gain ( 1 7 db) antenna. I n i t i a l l y the 240.2-megacycle l i n k u t i l i z e d
d i v e r s i t y combining and the 244.3-megacycle l i n k u t i l i z e d two receivers
t h a t were fed from a r i g h t - and a left-hand c i r c u l a r l y polarized antenna,
respectively. From the launch pad t h e received s i g n a l strength w a s
10,000 microvolts. The s i g n a l s t r e n g t h dropped t o a s low a s 200 microvolts
during f i r s t - and second-stage burning, and the s i g n a l was l o s t during t h i r d -
and fourth-stage burning. A t payload separation the s i g n a l l e v e l increased
approximately 10 decibels and increased an a d d i t i o n a l 4 decibels a f t e r
t h r u s t o r deployment. A t approxima-kely 7 minutes a f t e r l i f t - o f f a l l receivers
were switched t;o right-hand c i r c u l a r l y polarized antennas through which
the b e s t telemetry performance w a s obtained. Signal strength held a t approx-
imately 350 microvolts on 240.2 megacycles and 100 microvolts on 244.3 mega-

I
cycles. There were no indications of signal degradation due t o ion-thrustor
operation.

The R F system maintained frequency and deviation throughout the f l i g h t .

Carrier deviation of 50 kilocycles was employed on each l i n k . Linear
preemphasis was applied t o a l l subcarrier s i g n a l s except the accelerometer
signal. The accelerometer s i g n a l deviated the transmitter 15 kilocycles.
Under these conditions prelaunch checks indicated noise of 2 percent of
f u l l s c a l e . This noise l e v e l was not exceeded i n f l i g h t . The t h r e e sub-
c a r r i e r o s c i l l a t o r s on each l i n k maintained frequency s t a b i l i t y and devia-
t i o n within 4 percent. The commutators, both of which were mechanical,
maintained speed within the tolerance, and the noise l e v e l was l e s s than
2 percent of f u l l s c a l e . A l l instrumentation with t h e exception of two
transducers operated properly throughout the f l i g h t . The l o s s of the two
transducers, which was detected during the countdown, had no e f f e c t on the
f l i g h t or on the ' i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of the data.

Command system. - The ground command transmitter c a r r i e r was a c t i v a t e d

p r i o r t o l i f t - o f f of the vehicle. The spacecraft command receiver was
captured by t h i s c a r r i e r and produced an automatic gain control (Am)
voltage which was read out through telemetry.

I n f l i g h t , the spacecraft spin r a t e was detectable through modulation

of the AGC voltage. During ion-thrustor operation, t h i s spin modulation
diminished, and the AGC voltage increased by approximately 2 0 percent of
f u l l s c a l e . Preliminary analysis indicates t h a t a noise voltage of un-
known nature was produced a t t h e time of t h r u s t o r operation, which pre-
dominated i n producing t h e AGC voltage. Despite t h i s noise voltage, however,
there were no inadvertent commands. Throughout the f l i g h t the command
system was a c t i v a t e d 32 times and confirmed through telemetry i n a l l in-
stances.

Thrustor Performance

Contact-ionization t h r u s t o r .-Preheating of the tungsten ionizer

functioned properly during a prelaunch phase and during boost. When the
high voltage was turned on following pod opening, t h e 4500-volt p o s i t i v e
p o t e n t i a l supply indicated a high-voltage breakdown. I n response t o the
breakdown, the high-voltage supply automatically turned the system of'f
and 1 second l a t e r automatically restored the high voltage. Each time the
high voltage was turned on, breakdown of the positive p o t e n t i a l occurrea
a t approximately 2000 v o l t s . This cycling continued with approximately
a 1-second period u n t i l the system a c t i o n w a s terminated by ground command
a f t e r 9 minutes and 11 seconds of attempted operation.

Because of the p o s s i b i l i t y that t h e cause of t h e high-voltage breakdown

might have been eliminated a f t e r prolonged outgassing, the contact-
ionization t h r u s t o r system w a s turned on f o r a second time, by ground
 11

command, a f t e r a period of 2 3 minutes. High-voltage breakdown w a s again

indicated and t h e turn-on attempt w a s terminated a f t e r 2 minutes.

E&ectsn-bombardment t h r u s t o r . - This t h r u s t o r system operation w a s

i n i t i a t e d through programer advance by ground command a t 830 seconds
a f t e r l i f t - o f f . A l l i n i t i a l voltages and currents w e r e normal. The b o i l e r
temperature r o s e a t t h e expected r a t e and reached 265' F a f t e r 134 seconds
following t h e t u r n on. A t 134 seconds a f t e r t h e t u r n on, t h e magnetic f i e l d
c o i l w a s momentarily deenergized by ground command i n an attempt t o achieve
an ion beam as e a r l y as possible. The magnetic f i e l d c o i l w a s momentarily
deenergized f o r four t i m e s p r i o r t o t h e beam i n i t i a t i o n a t 233 seconds
a f t e r system t u r n on. A t beam i n i t i a t i o n the beam c u r r e n t w a s 100 m i l l i -
amperes. An increase i n spacecraft s p i n rate w a s detected through t h e
r a d i a l accelerometer r e a l time readout within seconds a f t e r t h e indication
of beam c u r r e n t . For a period of 122 seconds a f t e r t h e i n d i c a t i o n of ion-
beam i n i t i a t i o n , the t h r u s t o r operated without interruption, during which
period the beam current continuously increased as a consequence of a con-
tinuously increasing b o i l e r temperature and propellant flow. A t t h e end
of t h e 122.-second period, t h e t h r u s t o r system automatically shut down a s a
r e s u l t of a momentary voltage breakdown. Following t h e shutdown, t h e beam
w a s r e i n i t i a t e d i n 7 seconds by automatic t u r n on and a momentary magrzetic
f i e l d i n t e r r u p t i o n through ground command. The t h r u s t o r operated with a l l
conditions fixed other than t h e r i s i n g b o i l e r temperature f o r a t o t a l period
of 1 4 minutes. During t h i s period t h e r e were 10 automatic shutdowns as a
r e s u l t of voltage breakdowns. The shutdown t i m e s varied from 2 t o 1 6 seconds
and t h e t o t a l shutdown time was 55 seconds.

Following t h e 14-minute operating period, t h e programed n e u t r a l i z e r

voltage and n e u t r a l i z e r turn-off s t u d i e s and t h e beam probe surveys were
performed. The n e u t r a l i z e r was turned off f o r a period of 2 minutes,
during which time t h e system automatically cycled between voltage t u r n
on t o voltage breakdown f o r a period of 1 2 G seconds without t h e e s t a b l i s h -
ment of an ion beam. The beam w a s quickly r e s t o r e d following n e u t r a l i z e r
turn on a t t h e end of t h e 120-second period.

Following t h e second attempt t o s t a r t t h e contact-ionization t h r u s t o r ,

t h e electron-bombardment t h r u s t o r w a s turned on f o r t h e second time. The
t h r u s t o r produced an ion beam very r a p i d l y and continued t o operate with
s h o r t shutdown periods f o r 8 minutes, a f t e r which t h e f l i g h t w a s terminated
by r e e n t r y i n t o t h e atmosphere. The f i n a l recorded beam current w a s
377 milliamperes w i t h a t h r u s t of 0.0055 pound. Ion-beam current and
t h r u s t corresponded i n good agreement with theory throughout the e n t i r e
t h r u s t o r operating period. The precision of t h i s correspondence w i l l be
determined through data processing. Operation of the e l e c t r o n bombardment
t h r u s t o r during t h e f l i g h t period, as i l l u s t r a t e d by t h e v a r i a t i o n of
t h r u s t with time, i s presented i n f i g u r e 5.
 REFERENCES

1. Mickelsen, William R., and Kauflaan, Harold R.: Status of Electrostatic

Thrustors for Space Propulsion. NASA TN D-2172, 1964.

2. Stuhlinger, Ernst: Ion Propulsion for Space Flight. McGraw-Hill Book

Co., Inc., 1964.
SERT PAYLOAD

-SCOUT VEHICLE
FOURTH STAGE

SCOUT VEHIC
THIRD STAGE

CS-31810

(a) Launch configuration.

(b) Drawing of free-flight configuration.

Figure 1. - SERT I spacecraft.
 (c) Photograph of free-flight configuration.
Figure 1. - Concluded. SERT I spacecraft.

IONIZER HEATER7
Q
-

POROUS IONIZER-

NEUTRALIZER
HEATER-,

-
- -
- CS-31747

( a ) Schematic diagram.
Figure 2. - Contact-ionization thrustor.
 (b) View during vacuum-chamber operation.
Figure 2. - Concluded. Contact-ionization thrustor.

- I
a-& '-
. 4

(a) Cutaway laboratory model.

Figure 3. - Electron-bombardment thrustor.
 SCREEN: r ACCELERATOR
I
I
I
I
I NEUTRALIZER
I

LENGINE FRAME

-
--L
(b) Schematic diagram.

(c) Flight model.

Figure 3. - Concluded. Electron-bombardment thrustor.
 Figure 4. - SERT I spacecraft radial accelerometer real-
time record.

,-System off

T- Probe survey,
I?- ,c---
Probe J ~ ~ L L
survey2
-0'
c'/
0

/
// 4-
/ LNeutralizer off

Figure 5. - Variation of thrust with time. Electron-bombardment thrustor; SERT I

flight.

NASA-CLEVELAND, OHIO E-2719