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RITA Ion Thruster
Ion Propulsion
How it Works
Advantages
Applications
Heritage
Thruster RIT-10
Thruster RIT-XT
Thruster RIT-22
Xenon Regulator
Eureca
Artemis
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Radiofrequency Ion Thruster, Model RIT-XT.
Advanced ion thruster for future commercial and scientific space
applications having a nominal specific impulse of 4500 seconds.
RIT-XT Ion Thruster Unit
External View
Internal View
| Ionisation principle: |
rf-discharge
(v=0.7 - 1 MHz) |
Discharge chamber
diameter:
Beam Diameter: |
22
cm
21 cm |
| Beam voltage (nom): |
900
- 2000 Volts |
Thrust
level
- nominal:
- demonstrated: |
50 - 150 mN
210 mN |
Specific impulse
- nominal:
- demonstrated: |
4200 - 4500 sec.
2500 - 5500 sec. |
| Beam voltage: |
1700
- 2000 Volts |
Design Life
(at 150 mN and 4500 sec) |
>
15,000 hours |
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Total Power Input - versus -
Thrust
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Total Power Input - versus -
Specific Impulse
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Performance Evaluation: Thrust
Stability
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Achievement Insight
 Direct thrust
measurement.
Real beam divergence
using 3D scanner.
Double charge
ions portion < 1%.
Dual thruster
operation and testing.
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Thrusters tested at 100 mN, 150 mN and 200 mN at equal
and different thrust levels at up to 95% mass efficiency.
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No performance interaction detected between adjacent
thrusters.
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Extended beam analysis detected weak attractive interaction
between adjacent beams.
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Two ion engines successfully operated with one neutraliser.
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Influence of start-up procedure of secondary ion thruster
on primary engine examined; no interaction found; primary running engine
has no effect on start-up of secondary engine.
Long duration
tests completed:
- Thruster tested at 150 mN, 4000 s Isp and 95% mass efficiency.
- 1000 hours of operation in 1000 mission like cycles.
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Grid electrical shortage analysis and clearing tests,
including: |
- Precursor tests on subscale grid with 35 particles of 6 different materials
- Successful clearing test of debris on thruster grid performed with
worst case materials: 11 graphite and 5 Molybdenum particles
- Thruster operated after grid debris clearing tests at 100 mN, 150 mN
and 200 mN No difference in operational behaviour or beam diagnostics
prior/after clearing
- RIT Grid Technology has demonstrated proven robustness concerning grid
clearing of internal or external particulate contaminants.
- Fail-safe capability demonstrated by successful firing of slightly
damaged screen grid after clearing of large particle contamination.
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Beam analysis and diagnostics
Dual thruster operation & testing.
Left: 150 mN. Right: 200 mN
Full scale test set-up
Stainless steel particle contaminant
Graphite particle contaminant
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New grid systems development
Development in co-operation with Aerospazio, ALTA, Gießen University, IOM,
and Laben
Achievements
- Ion Optics Numerical Tools assessed, improved and validated.
- Advanced Materials: Nitrated Molybdenum and Titanium, Carbon-Carbon and
Boron coated Molybdenum manufactured.
- Requirements Definition and Analysis completed.
- Design and Manufacturing: First Grid Set designed and manufactured.
- Operation of RIT-XT Radio Frequency Ion Thruster in 120m³ AEROSPAZIO vacuum
facility successfully performed (F > 200 mN).
- 1500 hour Test Readiness (BepiColombo) scheduled.
- Additional Advanced Technology Grid under development.
Contact for Further Information
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If
you require more detailed information on any of our products or services,
then please contact
us, indicating your particular areas of interest or intended application.
Your enquiry will receive our best attention.
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