Concept Study of Radio Frequency (RF) Plasma Thruster for Space Propulsion
Journal Title: INCAS BULLETIN - Year 2016, Vol 8, Issue 4
Abstract
Electric thrusters are capable of accelerating ions to speeds that are impossible to reach using chemical reaction. Recent advances in plasma-based concepts have led to the identification of electromagnetic (RF) generation and acceleration systems as able to provide not only continuous thrust, but also highly controllable and wide-range exhaust velocities. For Future Space Propulsion there is a pressing need for low pressure, high mass flow rate and controlled ion energies. This paper explores the potential of using RF heated plasmas for space propulsion in order to mitigate the electric propulsion problems caused by erosion and gain flexibility in plasma manipulation. The main key components of RF thruster architecture are: a feeding system able to provide the required neutral gas flow, plasma source chamber, antenna/electrodes wrapped around the discharge tube and optimized electromagnetic field coils for plasma confinement. A preliminary analysis of system performance (thrust, specific impulse, efficiency) is performed along with future plans of Space Propulsion based on this new concept of plasma mechanism.
Authors and Affiliations
Anna-Maria Theodora ANDREESCU, Maximilian-Vlad TEODORESCU, Jeni Alina POPESCU, Valeriu-Alexandru VILAG, Adrian STOICESCU
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP249237
- DOI 10.13111/2066-8201.2016.8.4.2
- Views 76
- Downloads 0
Boolean Algebra Application in Analysis of Flight Accidents
Fault tree analysis is a deductive approach for resolving an undesired event into its causes, identifying the causes of a failure and providing a framework for a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the top event....
Osprey – war for its own existence
The aircraft that flies like an airplane but takes off and lands like a chopper. It has been a long, strange trip: the V-22 has been 25 years in development, more than twice as long as the Apollo program that put men on...
Structural resource of the aircraft IAR-99 SOIM
Aircraft structure fatigue monitoring has been developed over decades presently reaching the stage where it became mandatory for all combat aircraft to be equipped with an airborne fatigue monitoring system. These system...
Acoustic investigation on nozzles with different types of six lobed chevrons
This paper deals with a few aspects of the notion of chevron and the process that helps reducing the noise pollution. Based on the gas dynamic and geometrical parameters of a single flow jet engine a model of CFD data pr...
An Extension of Newton Gravity Formula Considering the Universe Expansion Effects
The Universe expansion and gravity are perhaps the main factors that determine the Universe evolution at global scale. The expansion of the Universe seen as a sphere whose frontier is moving at the speed of light in vacu...