Development of a Ferromagnetic Enhanced Ambipolar Plasma Thruster

Publikation: Beitrag zu KonferenzenPaperBeigetragen

Beitragende

Abstract

Due to the increasing popularity of small and nano satellites due to their cost efficiency and lower financial hurdle, especially for institutions, there is also a growing interest and incentive to develop miniaturized propulsion systems or to optimize propulsion concepts for small satellites. Another area of research that is gaining interest is air-breathing propulsion systems. They are expected to significantly extend the duration of missions in very low Earth orbit, thus enabling longer missions with short latency and high resolutions for Earth observation. The propulsion system presented here addresses both areas of interest. The presented propulsion concept is a radio frequency thruster with a ferromagnetic enhanced antenna. The effect of the ferrite core is discussed based on thrust measurements. We also present a setup to measure the thrust of any electric propulsion system without the need to install it on the thrust balance. This was used for the thruster presented here to obtain sub-micro-Newton precision measurements on an existing compact high-precision thrust balance. The cathodeless thruster can be operated with conventional propellants as well as with gas mixtures comparable to those found in the Earth’s atmosphere. The use of other alternative propellants is also discussed, and a tank concept for solid propellants that sublimate at temperatures around 60°C is presented.
Titel in Übersetzung
Entwicklung eines ferromagnetisch verstärkten ambipolaren Plasmaantriebs

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten1-17
Seitenumfang17
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 19 Juni 2024
Peer-Review-StatusNein

Konferenz

Titel38th International Electric Propulsion Conference
KurztitelIEPC 2024
Veranstaltungsnummer38
Dauer23 - 28 Juni 2024
Webseite
BekanntheitsgradInternationale Veranstaltung
OrtCentre de Congrès Pierre Baudis
StadtToulouse
LandFrankreich

Externe IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-3029-2820/work/167707913

Schlagworte