MDP (Magnetoplasmadynamic) Thrust Chamber Flow Dynamics

Abstract

Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) arcjet thrusters inherently involve close coupling of the electromagnetic discharge structure and the flow field in the thrust chamber. The discharge and internal flow field structures are not simply determined by the arcjet geometry, but depend on the values and partitioning of injected mass flow for each operating current condition. In order to understand the internal flow dynamics of an MPD arcjet, experiments are performed in which electromagnetic fields and flow properties are measured within the thrust chamber. Electric and magnetic field probes are used to obtain the electromagnetic structure, while spectroscopic techniques are used to estimate particle velocities and densities. Keywords: Electric propulsion, Magnetoplasmadynamic, Arcjet, Arc jet engines, Space propulsion.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 1988
Accession Number
ADA201263

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Arc Jet Engines
  • Ceramic Materials
  • Chambers
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electron Density
  • Flow
  • Flow Fields
  • Geometry
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Mass Flow
  • Measurement
  • Thrust
  • Thrust Chambers
  • Thrusters

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster