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PROGRAM 661A TEST CODE C
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The third and final IPS payload of the Air
Force's Program 661A was launched on
December 21, 1964. In this test, an
additional wire neutralizer was incorporated
and was immersed in the ion beam to provide
a higher probability of adequate
neutralization. The contact ion engine only
achieved about 20% of full-thrust before
re-entry into the atmosphere. The short test
time was due to a very short burn of the
Scout vehicle's third stage. The high
voltage was applied to the engine 7 minutes
into the flight when the altitude was 490
km. Engine operation ended after 4 minutes
when the altitude was only 80 km.
The preceding was an excerpt from:
Sovey, J. S., Rawlin, V. K., and Patterson,
M. J.: "Ion Propulsion Development
Projects in U. S.: Space Electric Rocket
Test 1 to Deep Space 1." Journal of
Propulsion and Power, Vol. 17, No. 3,
May-June 2001, pp. 517-526.
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