Date of Defense
12-2-2025
Date of Graduation
12-2025
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
First Advisor
Kristina Lemmer
Second Advisor
Bade Shrestha
Abstract
This project investigates the design and modeling of a low-power Hall-Effect Thruster optimized for krypton propellant, serving as a continuation of Western Michigan University’s Hall thruster development series. Krypton is selected as an alternative to xenon due to its significantly lower cost and increased availability, though its higher ionization energy and reduced atomic mass introduce performance, ionization, and efficiency challenges that must be addressed through careful design. The goal of this study is to design two 300-W class thrusters capable of achieving high efficiency and long operational life on krypton propellant while maintaining full compatibility with existing laboratory facilities and diagnostic capabilities. One configuration is an unshielded design, which serves as a direct benchmark to the WHT-44 xenon-propelled thruster designed by a Western Michigan University team in 2016. The second configuration includes the development of a partially magnetically shielded variant, a technique widely used in modern Hall thruster research to reduce wall erosion, improve plasma confinement, and enhance overall system efficiency. The design process integrates plasma physics theory, electromagnetic circuit analysis, thermal modeling, and propellant flow characterization to develop a high-fidelity COMSOL Multiphysics model of the discharge channel, anode flow system, and magnetic lens structure. Analytical and numerical methods are employed to optimize magnetic field strength, propellant utilization, anode injection uniformity, and structural resilience under expected operating conditions. Additional consideration is given to manufacturability and material behavior, ensuring that the final design is both realistic and compatible with laboratory fabrication methods. All work adheres to EAR limitations, laboratory safety standards, and university research policies, ensuring that only unrestricted data and materials are utilized and reported. Expected outcomes include validated simulations of plasma behavior, performance predictions benchmarked against the 44- mm Western Hall Thruster operating on xenon, and a fabrication-ready design suitable for future testing in the Aerospace Laboratory for Plasma Experiments (ALPE). This effort establishes a foundational framework for continued research into cost-effective electric propulsion systems for small-satellite applications and contributes to the broader goal of advancing accessible, alternative propellant Hall thruster technology.
Recommended Citation
Klang, Grace, "Low Power Magnetically Shielded Krypton Hall Thruster Design" (2025). Honors Theses. 3989.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/3989
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Presentation
Comments
Co-authored with:
Renee Cilluffo
Stephen Foster