{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":33301,"title":"Reservoir Scandate Cathode for Electric Propulsion","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10544,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10542,"level":3,"code":"TX01.2.2","title":"Electrostatic","definition":"This area covers electric propulsion systems that use electrostatic fields to ionize and accelerate a propellant.","exampleTechnologies":"Ion engines, hall thrusters, electrospray propulsion","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":4,"currentTrl":7,"endTrl":7,"benefits":"Mars and lunar cargo missions would benefit, as would the upcoming JUNO mission to Jupiter. Also, piloted interplanetary mission become feasible with sufficient cathode output and life. Earth transfer, station-keeping and earth-escape should occur by all-electric means. It would lower cost, size, mass, and complexity. This technology would also help NASA's conventional cathode applications. Improved cathodes are needed for microwave amplifiers for space communications. The cathode is the performance-limiting component in these devices. A higher output cathode is especially needed for terahertz amplifiers and sources. The so-called \"terahertz gap\" is a vast region of frequency space that is unutilized, largely because of cathode technology limitations. Scandate cathodes are the key to accessing that space. In short, NASA needs higher bit rates, more power, and higher frequency for space communications and a host of other applications, and these are largely limited by the cathode.
All the applications described in NASA commercial applications apply to non-NASA markets except interplanetary space travel. More powerful thrusters are needed in commercial satellites for orbital transfer. These would allow all-electric propulsion for larger, heavier satellites operating in geo-synchronous orbits. All-electric propulsion lowers mass and size and raises efficiency. Other areas include Department of Defense radars and communications. This is the largest market for high-performance cathodes. The cathodes proposed here would increase life, performance, frequency data rates and resolution in these systems. Nongovernmental applications lie in high-speed x-ray tomography, electron beam-stimulated lasers, especially at UV, and commercial geo-synchronous satellite downlinks and propulsion. Hollow cathodes can be used as a source of high current density electrons for applications such as electron beam welding or as a source of electrons in corrosive environments. The cathodes proposed here are capable of creating electron beams of 1000 amps/cm2 or more. Even though the energy spread is high, the extraordinary current densities make for an extremely bright beam.","description":"We propose to combine the two most powerful cathode technologies into one hollow cathode assembly for use in ion and Hall-effect thrusters. Together, these technologies will boost ion thruster performance and life beyond current art. Reservoir cathodes have demonstrated, in microwave tube environments, lifetimes beyond 100,000 hours with no drop in output. Scandate impregnated cathodes have demonstrated emission beyond 10 amps/cm2 at 800 degrees Cb(W) and emission levels over 100 amps/cm2 at under 1000 degrees Cb(W). This is over 200 degrees below comparable all-tungsten impregnated cathodes, the cathode normally used for space propulsion. High temperature is the great enemy of long cathode life. Longer-life cathodes are needed for interplanetary and lunar missions, as well as earth-escape and near-earth maneuvers. In Phase II, we shall continue developing the hybrid scandate reservoir cathode and perfect our stand-alone scandium-doped tungsten cathodes. We shall continue to improve our hollow reservoir technology. Then we will combine the two technologies into an integrated module.","startYear":2015,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2017,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":42177,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Bernard","lastName":"Vancil","fullName":"Bernard K Vancil","fullNameInverted":"Vancil, Bernard K","middleInitial":"K","primaryEmail":"bernie@ebeaminc.com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":3163995,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Robert","lastName":"Jones","fullName":"Robert Jones","fullNameInverted":"Jones, Robert","primaryEmail":"Robert.A.Jones@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":303477,"fileName":"SBIR_2014_2_BC_H2.01-9770","fileSize":89840,"objectId":300027,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"87.7 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":303477,"fileName":"SBIR_2014_2_BC_H2.01-9770","fileSize":89840,"objectId":300027,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"87.7 KB"}],"id":300027,"title":"Briefing Chart","description":"Reservoir Scandate Cathode for Electric Propulsion, Phase II Briefing Chart","libraryItemTypeId":1222,"projectId":33301,"primary":false,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1222,"code":"DOCUMENT","description":"Document","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}},{"caption":"Reservoir Scandate Cathode for Electric Propulsion Briefing Chart","file":{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":297601,"fileName":"SBIR_2014_2_BC_H2.01-9770","fileSize":73432,"objectId":294134,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"71.7 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":297601,"fileName":"SBIR_2014_2_BC_H2.01-9770","fileSize":73432,"objectId":294134,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"71.7 KB"}],"id":294134,"title":"Briefing Chart Image","description":"Reservoir Scandate Cathode for Electric Propulsion Briefing Chart","libraryItemTypeId":1095,"projectId":33301,"primary":false,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1095,"code":"IMAGE","description":"Image","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}}],"transitions":[{"transitionId":64761,"projectId":33301,"partner":"Other","transitionDate":"2015-06-01","path":"Advanced From","relatedProjectId":18351,"relatedProject":{"acronym":"","projectId":18351,"title":"Reservoir Scandate Cathode for Electric Propulsion","startTrl":2,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"NASA will use the cathode in ion thrusters for long-range space mission, such as Mars and lunar cargo missions. It will use it for voyages to more distant planets such as Jupiter and Saturn. The cathode may be used wherever long life and higher specific impulse are required. The cathode may eventually enable manned long-range missions. A higher emission cathode would enable higher power and frequency in klystrons and TWTs. This would allow higher data rate transmissions.
The cathode will improve performance and life on non-NASA ion and Hall Effect thrusters, used in near-Earth missions. Of particular interest is its use in geosynchronous satellites for circularization, attitude control and station keeping. Also, many vacuum electron devices such as klystron, traveling wave tubes and even x-ray tubes would benefit from this work. In particular, this proposal has significant effort devoted to improving the mechanical strength and geometrical stability of scandate cathode matrices. The lack of these qualities has been one reason they are not used in linear beam devices where focusing stability depends on cathode dimensional stability.","description":"We propose to combine two revolutionary cathode technologies into a single device for use in electric space propulsion. This will overcome problems that both technologies have when operated alone. The cathode is currently the component which most limits performance and life in ion and Hall Effect thrusters. Improved cathodes are essential for NASA's next generation electric space propulsion initiative. The innovation will benefit both satellite and deep space missions. We have successfully demonstrated both stand-alone reservoir and scandate cathodes in hollow cathode geometries. Reservoir cathodes are known to provide unprecedented life and stability. Scandate cathodes dramatically lower operating temperature. By combining the two technologies, we incorporate extremely long life (greater than 10 years) and extremely low temperature (less than 850 degrees C) into a single device. The result will be a revolutionary enhancement in electric propulsion. Reservoir cathodes employ a chamber behind the emitter which contains a barium emissive material. This greatly increases the amount of barium available to the cathode. Scandate cathodes provide a scandium-containing cathode surface which lowers the work function.","startYear":2014,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2014,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","website":"","program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":398,"endDateString":"Dec 2014","startDateString":"Jun 2014"},"infoText":"Advanced from another project within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (Reservoir Scandate Cathode for Electric Propulsion)","dateText":"June 2015"}],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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