Published March 16, 2009 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Electrodeless Experimental Thruster

Creators

  • 1. Reisz Engineers 2909 Johnson Rd. Huntsville, AL 35805 256-883-2531 (United States)

Description

An electrodeless experimental electric thruster has been built and tested at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The plasma is formed by Electron-Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) absorption of RF waves (microwaves). The RF source operates in the 1 to 2 kW range. The plasma is overdense and is confined radially by an applied axial dc magnetic field. The field is shaped by a strong magnetic mirror on the upstream end and a magnetic nozzle on the downstream end. Argon is used as the propellant. The velocity profile in the exhaust plume has been measured with Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF). An unusual bimodal velocity profile has been measured.

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1063/1.3115486;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
AIP Conference Proceedings
Journal Volume
1103
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
p. 126-132
ISSN
0094-243X
CODEN
APCPCS

Conference

Title
International technical forum on space, propulsion and energy sciences
Acronym
SPESIF-2009
Dates
24-26 Feb 2009
Place
Huntsville, AL (United States)

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
41039361
Subject category
S70: PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; S42: ENGINEERING;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Conference
Descriptors DEI
ARGON; ECR HEATING; FLUORESCENCE; ION PROPULSION; ION THRUSTERS; LASERS; MAGNETIC CONFINEMENT; MAGNETIC FIELDS; MAGNETIC MIRRORS; MICROWAVE RADIATION; NASA; PLASMA; PLASMA DENSITY; PROPULSION SYSTEMS; SPACE FLIGHT; ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION; VELOCITY
Descriptors DEC
CONFINEMENT; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; ELEMENTS; EMISSION; FLUIDS; GASES; HEATING; HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING; LUMINESCENCE; NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS; NONMETALS; OPEN PLASMA DEVICES; PHOTON EMISSION; PLASMA CONFINEMENT; PLASMA HEATING; PROPULSION; RADIATIONS; RARE GASES; THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES; THRUSTERS; US ORGANIZATIONS

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2009 American Institute of Physics