1. Constant Power and Thrust: Prescribed Mission Time Starting with a mass M0 , and operating for a time t an electric thruster of jet speed c, such as to accomplish an equivalent (force-free) velocity change of ∆V , the final
Electrothermal Augmentation Concept Geostationary satellites are most of the time exposed to the sun, but they still are subject to eclipse periods around the two vernal points (March 21, September 21);
These notes aim at providing order-of-magnitude results and at illuminating the mechanisms involved. Numerical precision will be sacrificed in the interest of physical clarity. We look first at the arc in a cooled constrictor, with no flow, expand the analysis
1 Introduction Electrostatic thrusters (“ion engines”) are the best developed type of electric propulsion device, dating in conception to the ‘50’s,(1) and having been demonstrated in space in 1964 on a suborbital flight of the SERT I spacecraft(2). The early history
Ionization and Conduction in a High-pressure Plasma A normal gas at T <3000K is a good electrical insulator, because there are almost no ∼ free electrons in it. For pressure
Systems Considerations (Valving, tanks, etc) Characteristics of some monopropellants (Reprinted from H. Koelle, Handbook of Astronautical Engineering, McGraw-Hill, 1961.) Flame Chemical Density temp
JB=Beam ion (and neutralizer electron current) JE=cathode emitted current Jc=ion current to cathode- potential surfaces JD=current through disch. power supply
1. Introduction Hall thrusters are electrostatic ion accelerators in which the grid system (which serves in classical ion engines to anchor the negative charges used to accelerate the ions) is replaced with a relatively strong magnetic field perpendicular to the flow
Ion Engine and Colloid Thrusters are Electrostatic devices, because the electrostatic forces that accelerate the ions (or droplets) are also directly felt by some electrode, and this is how the structure receives thrust. We could manipulate the expression for thrust density in an ion engine
