Electric Propulsion of Spacecraft.

Abstract

The Report commences with a discussion of the merits of electric propulsion technology, explaining that the very high exhaust velocities attainable allow the propellant masses required for most missions to be drastically reduced. The various types of electric thruster are then described briefly. The most highly developed and potentially useful thruster, the Kaufman electron bombardment ion thruster, is covered in greater detail, with particular reference to the T5 device developed in the UK. Candidate missions are discussed, ranging from attitude and orbit control functions to the application of ion propulsion to the deployment of solar power satellites. Important terrestrial applications of electric propulsion technology are also mentioned. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1981
Accession Number
ADA129273

Entities

People

  • D. G. Fearn

Organizations

  • Royal Aircraft Establishment

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Earth Orbits
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Ion Propulsion
  • Ion Thrusters
  • Liquid Propellants
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Propellants
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Solar Energy
  • Solar Power Satellites
  • Thrusters

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites