Extreme Environment Video Diagnostic for a Lithium Lorentz Force Accelerator

Abstract

The design is presented of a video diagnostic system that was developed for the lithium Lorentz Force Accelerator. Obtaining head on footage of the thruster, the system provides visual confirmation of propellant mass distribution, and supports the study of the onset phenomenon through correlation with voltage oscillations. The system can operate for over 3 days under vacuum off battery power alone, and features several layers of protection to withstand the extreme environment, including a transparent film scrolling mechanism that will maintain visual in spite of condensing lithium. Manufactured and tested, successful operation of the video diagnostic system has been confirmed.