F
Francis M. Curran
Researcher at Glenn Research Center
Publications - 36
Citations - 596
Francis M. Curran is an academic researcher from Glenn Research Center. The author has contributed to research in topics: Arcjet rocket & Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 36 publications receiving 583 citations.
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Journal ArticleDOI
Advanced Propulsion for Geostationary Orbit Insertion and North-South Station Keeping
TL;DR: In this article, three electric propulsion technologies are examined at two power levels for geostationary insertion of an Atlas IIAS class spacecraft, and a numerical optimizer is used to determine the chemical burns that will minimize the electric propulsion transfer times.
Proceedings ArticleDOI
An extended life and performance test of a low-power arcjet
Francis M. Curran,Thomas W. Haag +1 more
Small satellite propulsion options
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that insertion of advanced propulsion technologies enables and/or greatly enhances many planned small satellite missions, such as high pressure Ir/Re bipropellant engines, very low power arcjets, Hall thrusters, and pulsed plasma thrusters.
Journal ArticleDOI
Extended Life and Performance Test of a Low-Power Arcjet
Francis M. Curran,Thomas W. Haag +1 more
TL;DR: In this paper, an automated, cyclic life test was performed to demonstrate the reliability and endurance of a low power dc cycle arcjet thruster, and the arcjet operated in a very repeatable fashion from cycle to cycle.
Proceedings ArticleDOI
Preliminary plume characteristics of an arcjet thruster
TL;DR: In this article, an experimental investigation of a low power arcjet plume using emission spectroscopy was conducted using a laboratory model arcjet incorporating a segmented anode was run on simulated hydrazine at a flow rate of 5 x 10(exp -5) kg/s.