THE ELECTROMAGNETIC PINCH EFFECT FOR SPACE PROPULSION

Abstract

The phenomenon of the electromagnetic pinch effect is used to accelerate ionized gases for space propulsion. Electrical energy, initially stored in capacitors, is discharged across two nozzle shaped electrodes wherein the radial pinch is converted to axial motion of the effected gases instead of confinement at the axis. T E GAS YNA ICS OF PINCH USING THE HYDRODYNAMICAL MODEL OF A MAGNETIC PISTON DRIVING A SHOCK WAVE, IS COMBINED WITH THE ELECTRODYNAMICS OF THE CIRCUIT TO CALCULATE THE DISCH RGE BEHAVIOR. Experiments on three different electrode designs are discussed and results compared with calculated values. Results are applied to on particul r p c propulsio y co isti g of a nuclear energy ource, a space r i or a urbi e-generator, capacitor, and pi ch tube. Th pecific mission alyzed is a one- ay unmanned flight to a Mars orbit, starting from an Earth orbit. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1959
Accession Number
AD0266981

Entities

People

  • Alfred E. Kunen
  • William Mcilroy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Capacitors
  • Earth Orbits
  • Electric Power
  • Electrodes
  • Energy
  • Gases
  • Generators
  • Ionized Gases
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Orbits
  • Pinch Effect
  • Shock Waves
  • Space Propulsion

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Snow Cover Descriptors for Reptiles and Their Illustrations.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster