Factors affecting the velocity of launching bodies by means of an electric-discharge light-gas accelerator

The effect is investigated of a number of factors, which accompany the operation of an electric-discharge light-gas accelerator, on the velocity of launching bodies. One such factor is the contamination of the working gas with electrode erosion products. It is found that, at a temperature of the working gas of $2500$—$3000$ K and below, the erosion of electrodes and walls of the discharge chamber does not cause a contamination that would result in appreciable decrease in the efficiency of the process of acceleration of bodies using an electric-discharge light-gas accelerator. It is determined that, with the launching velocities equal to or lower than the velocity of sound in the working gas, the actual values of launching velocity are $10$—$15\%$ lower than the calculated (maximal) values.