Research on Electrostatic Propulsion Using C60 Molecules.
Abstract
Electrostatic propulsion using C60 as the propellant has the potential to efficiently produce specific impulses in the range from 1000 to 3000 sec, and is therefore attractive for orbit transfer and station keeping missions. However, the viability of this concept depends on properties of the C60 molecule such as the ionization cross section, thermal stability, and resistance to fragmentation in a plasma environment. When this research began, insufficient information about these new materials was available. The objective of this program has been to determine properties of fullerenes relevant for electrostatic propulsion, to demonstrate ion extraction from a discharge, and to assess the implications for fullerene ion thrusters. The experiments we have undertaken fall into several distinct categories: time of flight mass spectrometry, electron energy loss spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal stability, polarizability, and discharge chamber experiments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 23, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA325627
Entities
People
- David G. Goodwin
- Fred E. Culick
Organizations
- California Institute of Technology