BGK method to determine thruster plume backscatter

Michael C. Fong; Aleck L. Lee

doi:10.1117/12.22613

1 November 1990 BGK method to determine thruster plume backscatter

Michael C. Fong, Aleck L. Lee

Proceedings Volume 1329, Optical System Contamination: Effects, Measurement, Control II; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.22613
Event: 34th Annual International Technical Symposium on Optical and Optoelectronic Applied Science and Engineering, 1990, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

An approximate molecular scatter model based on the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook (BGK) theory for a binary system was developed to predict the plume return flux and molecular density distribution due to spacecraft thruster firing during orbital flight. This binary model considers intermolecular collisions involving a plume species and an ambient species and defines the onset of the BGK molecular flow to be on a plume translational breakdown surface based on density decay considerations (Bird''s criterion). With the assumption of average local collision frequency quantities the BGK quasi-linear differential equation can be decoupled into a selfscatter (collision between plume molecules) equation and an ambient scatter (collisions between plume and ambient molecules) equation both amenable to relatively straightforward numerical integration schemes. A sample molecular scatter solution for a small hydrazine monopropellant thruster (with 5-lb thrust) is included in this analysis. 1.

Citation Download Citation

Michael C. Fong and Aleck L. Lee "BGK method to determine thruster plume backscatter", Proc. SPIE 1329, Optical System Contamination: Effects, Measurement, Control II, (1 November 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.22613

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available