Download or read book Propulsion Mechanisms in a Helicon Plasma Thruster written by Nareg Sinenian and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 110 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Electric thrusters offer an attractive option for various in-space propulsion tasks due to their high thrust efficiencies. The performance characteristics of a compact electric thruster utilizing a helicon plasma source is investigated with the goal of identifying potential thrust mechanisms. Performance characteristics such as thrust, specific impulse, ion cost and thrust efficiency are discussed and related to plasma parameters. The design and fabrication of a prototype compact helicon thruster is presented, including design of a radio-frequency power delivery system, electromagnets and a propellant flow system. The design of plasma diagnostics and associated measurement techniques are discussed including a retarding potential analyzer, mach probes and langmuir probes. These diagnostics are used to measure plasma properties such as electron temperature, plasma density, and ion flow velocities. Thruster performance characteristics are then derived from these measurement results. Significant ion acceleration is demonstrated in both Argon and Nitrogen plasmas and potential mechanisms for this are discussed.
Download or read book Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion written by Dan M. Goebel and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2023-11-30 with total page 564 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion Understand the fundamental basis of spaceflight with this cutting-edge guide As spacecraft engineering continues to advance, so too do the propulsion methods by which human beings can seek out the stars. Ion thrusters and Hall thrusters have been the subject of considerable innovation in recent years, and spacecraft propulsion has never been more efficient. For professionals within and adjacent to spacecraft engineering, this is critical knowledge that can alter the future of space flight. Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion offers a thorough grounding in electric propulsion for spacecraft, particularly the features and mechanisms underlying Ion and Hall thrusters. Updated in the light of rapidly expanding knowledge, the second edition of this essential guide detailed coverage of thruster principles, plasma physics, and more. It reflects the historic output of the legendary Jet Propulsion Laboratory and promises to continue as a must-own volume for spacecraft engineering professionals. Readers of the second edition of Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion readers will also find: Extensive updates to chapters covering hollow cathodes and Hall thrusters, based on vigorous recent research New sections covering magnetic shielding, cathode plume instabilities, and more Figures and homework problems in each chapter to facilitate learning and retention Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion is an essential work for spacecraft engineers and researchers working in spacecraft propulsion and related fields, as well as graduate students in electric propulsion, aerospace science, and space science courses.
Download or read book Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion written by Dan M. Goebel and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2008-12-22 with total page 528 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Throughout most of the twentieth century, electric propulsion was considered the technology of the future. Now, the future has arrived. This important new book explains the fundamentals of electric propulsion for spacecraft and describes in detail the physics and characteristics of the two major electric thrusters in use today, ion and Hall thrusters. The authors provide an introduction to plasma physics in order to allow readers to understand the models and derivations used in determining electric thruster performance. They then go on to present detailed explanations of: Thruster principles Ion thruster plasma generators and accelerator grids Hollow cathodes Hall thrusters Ion and Hall thruster plumes Flight ion and Hall thrusters Based largely on research and development performed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and complemented with scores of tables, figures, homework problems, and references, Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion: Ion and Hall Thrusters is an indispensable textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students who are preparing to enter the aerospace industry. It also serves as an equally valuable resource for professional engineers already at work in the field.
Download or read book RF Helicon Plasma Thruster for an Atmosphere Breathing Electric Propulsion System ABEP written by Francesco Romano and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Propulsion written by Kazuo Matsuuchi and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2021-12-15 with total page 104 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Almost all animals move around frequently in space. Their aim is to walk and fly in search of food or to propagate their species. Thus, changing positions is important for creatures’ survival and maintaining the environment. As such, this book examines movement with a focus on force and propulsion. Chapters cover topics including rocket engines, electric propulsion, mechanisms of force, and more.
Download or read book Empirical Aspects of a Mini Helicon Plasma Thruster Experiment mHTX MIT written by Joseph Eugene Palaia and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A helicon plasma source experiment has been developed and then constructed in the MIT Space Propulsion Laboratory (SPL) vacuum chamber. This experiment allows study of the intrinsic advantages of efficient helicon plasma production for use in space electric propulsion. Historical helicon experiment data have been applied to help size the experiment. The goal was to create a robust and flexible experimental system which would allow optimization of the source and system parameters for efficient thrust generation, and would permit for correlation between helicon theory and experiment. This effort may lead to the development of a new electric propulsion device, the Mini-Helicon Plasma Thruster. A design process was undertaken for the creation of this experimental setup, with the aid of a number of students and researchers at the MIT SPL. This thesis will focus on the author's specific contributions to this larger effort, which included the following elements. A survey of past helicon experiment parameters was completed, made possible largely due to the wealth of data provided by helicon plasma use in academia and for research and development. An analysis of the flow of propellant through the thruster was completed, utilizing low Mach number flow theory. A metallic structure was designed, structurally analyzed and constructed to support the electromagnets used to provide the required magnetic field. In addition, a radio frequency matching network enclosure and suitable interconnections were designed and constructed as part of the RF power delivery system. The result of the design and construction effort is a working, reliable, and flexible helicon plasma source system. This system provides the capability for future experimentation and helicon plasma thruster development.
Download or read book Power Balance in a Helicon Plasma Source for Space Propulsion written by Daniel B. White (Jr.) and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 109 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Electric propulsion systems provide an attractive option for various spacecraft propulsion applications due to their high specific impulse. The power balance of an electric thruster based on a helicon plasma source is presented. The power balance is shown to be comprised of several variables, including the RF power supplied to the system, dissipative losses in transmission hardware, losses in the neutral confinement tube, uncoupled RF radiation, ionization power, and plume output power. A thermal model for the neutral confinement tube is presented whereby heat flux may be derived from thermal response data. Numerical simulation and experimental benchmarking are employed to validate this thermal model. A mapping of power consumption is presented. Comparison with experimental parameters indicates that 97% of the power supplied to the system is accounted for, suggesting that primary loss mechanisms have been identified. Avenues for improving the performance of the thruster, based on these data, are presented.
Download or read book Ion Acceleration Mechanisms of Helicon Thrusters written by Logan Todd Williams and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A helicon plasma source is a device that can efficiently ionize a gas to create high density, low temperature plasma. There is growing interest in utilizing a helicon plasma source in propulsive applications, but it is not yet known if the helicon plasma source is able to function as both an ion source and ion accelerator, or whether an additional ion acceleration stage is required. In order to evaluate the capability of the helicon source to accelerate ions, the acceleration and ionization processes must be decoupled and examined individually. To accomplish this, a case study of two helicon thruster configurations is conducted. The first is an electrodeless design that consists of the helicon plasma source alone, and the second is a helicon ion engine that combines the helicon plasma source with electrostatic grids used in ion engines. The gridded configuration separates the ionization and ion acceleration mechanisms and allows for individual evaluation not only of ion acceleration, but also of the components of total power expenditure and the ion production cost. In this study, both thruster configurations are fabricated and experimentally characterized. The metrics used to evaluate ion acceleration are ion energy, ion beam current, and the plume divergence half-angle, as these capture the magnitude of ion acceleration and the bulk trajectory of the accelerated ions. The electrode-less thruster is further studied by measuring the plasma potential, ion number density, and electron temperature inside the discharge chamber and in the plume up to 60 cm downstream and 45 cm radially outward. The two configurations are tested across several operating parameter ranges: 343-600 W RF power, 50-450 G magnetic field strength, 1.0-4.5 mg/s argon flow rate, and the gridded configuration is tested over a 100-600 V discharge voltage range. Both configurations have thrust and efficiency below that of contemporary thrusters of similar power, but are distinct in terms of ion acceleration capability. The gridded configuration produces a 65-120 mA ion beam with energies in the hundreds of volts that is relatively collimated. The operating conditions also demonstrate clear control over the performance metrics. In contrast, the electrodeless configuration generally produces a beam current less than 20 mA at energies between 20-40 V in a very divergent plume. The ion energy is set by the change in plasma potential from inside the device to the plume. The divergence ion trajectories are caused by regions of high plasma potential that create radial electric fields. Furthermore, the operating conditions have limited control of the resulting performance metrics. The estimated ion production cost of the helicon ranged between 132-212 eV/ion for argon, the lower bound of which is comparable to the 157 eV/ion in contemporary DC discharges. The primary power expenditures are due to ion loss to the walls and high electron temperature leading to energy loss at the plasma sheaths. The conclusion from this work is that the helicon plasma source is unsuitable as a single-stage thruster system. However, it is an efficient ion source and, if paired with an additional ion acceleration stage, can be integrated into an effective propulsion system.
Download or read book Expanding the Capabilities of the Pulsed Plasma Thruster for In space and Atmospheric Operation written by Ian Kronheim Johnson and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 197 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Of all in-space propulsion systems to date, the Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) is unique in its simplicity and wide range of operational parameters. This study examined multiple uses of the thruster for in-space and atmospheric propulsion, as well as the creation of a CubeSat satellite and atmospheric airship as test beds for the thruster. The PPT was tested as a solid-propellant feed source for the High Power Helicon Thruster, a compact plasma source capable of generating order of magnitude higher plasma densities than comparable power level systems. Replacing the gaseous feed system reduced the thruster size and complexity, as well as allowing for extremely discrete discharges, minimizing the influence of wall effects. Teflon (C2F4) has been the traditional propellant for PPTs due to a high exhaust velocity and ability to ablate without surface modification over long durations. A number of alternative propellants, including minerals and metallics commonly found on asteroids, were tested for use with the PPT. Compounds with significant fractions of sulfur showed the highest performance increase, with specific thrusts double that of Teflon. A PPT with sulfur propellant designed for CubeSat operation, as well as the subsystems necessary for autonomous operation, was built and tested in the laboratory. The PPT was modified for use at atmospheric pressures where the impulse was well defined as a function of the discharge chamber volume, capacitor energy, and background pressure. To demonstrate that the air-breathing PPT was a viable concept the device was launched on two atmospheric balloon flights.
Download or read book Plasma Propulsion written by Fouad Sabry and published by One Billion Knowledgeable. This book was released on 2021-10-13 with total page 485 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What Is Plasma Propulsion A SpaceX Starship powered by chemical methylox engines will take up to six months to reach Mars. On Earth, radiation exposure is less than 2.5 milliseiverts per year. On their approach to Mars, colonists will face levels 300 times higher than that. Can we use superconducting advanced plasma propulsion technologies to cut the time down to 30 days? Neutron Star Systems has developed an improved magnetoplasmadynamic thruster system that uses rare earth barium copper oxide high temperature superconducting electromagnets to significantly improve plasma propulsion performance while consuming less electricity. This could be the way of the future for spaceflight propulsion. Technically, there are two types of propulsion systems namely chemical and electric depending on the sources of the fuel. Electrostatic thrusters are used for launching small satellites in low earth orbit which are capable to provide thrust for long time intervals. These thrusters consume less fuel compared to chemical propulsion systems. Therefore for the cost reduction interests, space scientists are interested to develop thrusters based on electric propulsion technology. Can SpaceX use Advanced Plasma Propulsion for Starship? How You Will Benefit (I) Insights, and validations about the following topics: Chapter 1: Plasma Propulsion Engine Chapter 2: Spaceflight Chapter 3: Wingless Electromagnetic Air Vehicle Chapter 4: Electrically Powered Spacecraft Propulsion Chapter 5: Ion thruster Chapter 6: Stellarator Chapter 7: Electric sail Chapter 8: MagBeam Chapter 9: Spacecraft propulsion Chapter 10: Advanced Electric Propulsion System Chapter 11: Anti-gravity Chapter 12: Artificial gravity (II) Answering the public top questions about plasma propulsion. (III) Real world examples for the usage of plasma propulsion in many fields. (IV) 17 appendices to explain, briefly, 266 emerging technology in each industry to have 360-degree full understanding of plasma propulsion' technologies. Who This Book Is For Professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those who want to go beyond basic knowledge or information for any kind of plasma propulsion.
Download or read book Introduction to Plasma Based Propulsion System written by Sukhmander Singh and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Technically, there are two types of propulsion systems namely chemical and electric depending on the sources of the fuel. Electrostatic thrusters are used for launching small satellites in low earth orbit which are capable to provide thrust for long time intervals. These thrusters consume less fuel compared to chemical propulsion systems. Therefore for the cost reduction interests, space scientists are interested to develop thrusters based on electric propulsion technology. This chapter is intended to serve as a general overview of the technology of electric propulsion (EP) and its applications. Plasma based electric propulsion technology used for space missions with regard to the spacecraft station keeping, rephrasing and orbit topping applications. Typical thrusters have a lifespan of 10,000¬†h and produce thrust of 0.1,Äì1¬†N. These devices have E,Üí√óB,Üí configurations which is used to confine electrons, increasing the electron residence time and allowing more ionization in the channel. Almost 2500 satellites have been launched into orbit till 2020. For example, the ESA SMART-1 mission (Small Mission for Advanced Research in Technology) used a Hall thruster to escape Earth orbit and reach the moon with a small satellite that weighed 367¬†kg. These satellites carrying small Hall thrusters for orbital corrections in space as thrust is needed to compensate for various ambient forces including atmospheric drag and radiation pressure. The chapter outlines the electric propulsion thruster systems and technologies and their shortcomings. Moreover, the current status of potential research to improve the electric propulsion systems for small satellite has been discussed.
Download or read book Electric Propulsion Development written by Ernst Stuhlinger and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 1963-01-01 with total page 763 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Volume 9: Electric Propulsion Development covers the proceedings of the Second Electric Propulsion Conference of the American Rocker Society, held in Berkeley, California on March 14-16, 1962. The conference focuses on the existing problems in electric propulsion and their possible solutions. This book is organized into four sections encompassing 35 chapters. The first section deals with the thermodynamics of arcs; the problems of heat and momentum transfer; the chemical processes within arcs; the arc system materials; and the arc jet design problems. The second section considers the problems of ion systems, the various ion sources, and the neutralization of ion beams. This section also looks into the basic ionization processes, the production and charging of heavy particles, the corrosive properties of cesium, and the ion-optical designs. The third section describes various plasma systems, including helical transmission lines, pulsed pinch accelerators, coaxial systems, and j x B accelerators. The theoretical analyses of these systems are briefly examined. The fourth section includes papers on flight testing of electric propulsion models, on vertical rocket probes, and on satellites, This section also discusses some advanced concepts in electric propulsion, such as air scooping during ascent through the atmosphere, systems design and optimization, and planetary and interplanetary missions. This book is of great value to physicists, space engineers and designers, as well as researchers in the fields of astronautics and aeronautics.
Download or read book Advanced Space Propulsion Systems written by Martin Tajmar and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-09-08 with total page 139 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Space propulsion systems have a great influence on our ability to travel to other planets or how cheap a satellite can provide TV programs. This book provides an up-to-date overview of all kinds of propulsion systems ranging from classical rocket technology, nuclear propulsion to electric propulsion systems, and further to micro-, propellantless and even breakthrough propulsion, which is a new program under development at NASA. The author shows the limitations of the present concepts and how they could look like in the future. Starting from historical developments, the reader is taken on a journey showing the amazing technology that has been put on hold for decades to be rediscovered in the near future for questions like how we can even reach other stars within a human lifetime. The author is actively involved in advanced propulsion research and contributes with his own experience to many of the presented topics. The book is written for anyone who is interested in how space travel can be revolutionized.
Download or read book Performance Characterization of the High Power Helicon Plasma Thruster with Varying Magnetic Nozzle Configurations written by Ilia Slobodov and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 70 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Propulsion Techniques written by Peter J. Turchi and published by AIAA. This book was released on 1998 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Drawn from early volumes of Aerospace America and its antecedents, this book rescues the insights, concerns, and dreams of dozens of space propulsion experts for the next generation of aerospace scientists and engineers. Written by well-known figures in space propulsion, this book provides readily accessible source material for design courses in astronautical engineering. Propulsion Techniques surveys the technologies of rocketry in the traditional categories of liquid, solid, hybrid, nuclear, and electric propulsion. Historical trends and cycles are displayed in each category as articles describe concepts and progress from the early visions of Goddard, Oberth, and Tsiolkovsky to proposed (and re-proposed) ideas for advanced space thrusters. In addition to descriptions of rocket engines of various types, associated technologies for propellants and space-electrical power systems are discussed.
Download or read book Improved Pulsed Plasma Thruster Systems for Satellite Propulsion written by Nicole J. Meckel and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book High power Helicon Double Gun Thruster written by Nao Murakami and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 61 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: While chemical propulsion is necessary to launch a spacecraft from a planetary surface into space, electric propulsion has the potential to provide significant cost savings for the orbital transfer of payloads between planets. Due to extended wave particle interactions, a plasma thruster that can operate in the 100 kW to several MW power regime can only be attained by increasing the size of the thruster, or by using an array of plasma thrusters. The High- Power Helicon (HPH) Double Gun thruster experiment examines whether firing two helicon thrusters in parallel produces an exhaust velocity higher than the exhaust velocity of a single thruster. The scaling law that relates the downstream plasma velocity with the number of helicon antennae is derived, and compared with the experimental result. In conjunction with data analysis, two digital filtering algorithms are developed to filter out the noise from helicon antennae. The scaling law states that the downstream plasma velocity is proportional to square root of the number of helicon antennae, which is in agreement with the experimental result.
