Maximizing thrust to power ratio and thrust density in ExB thrusters
Abstract
The objective of this proposal is to achieve the required rise of higher power capabilities onboard satellites and the miniaturization of components. These two enabling developments call for thruster technologies that can provide high throughput at small physical scales. These demands are driven by the potential benefits of operating at higher thrust densities, namely, whether Hall thrusters are able to function with higher thrust density, smaller thrusters could be used on spacecraft which would allow more volume and mass for payload or fuel. The objective includes thruster operation, performance, plasma properties and characteristic instabilities and transport in such extreme regimes. It is one of the main objectives of the proposed research to explore these extreme thrust density limit regimes. It is one of the main objectives of the proposed research to explore these extreme thrust density limit regimes. At PPPL, their expertise are the heat management of the devices needs to significantly improve to maintain the magnetic circuit at these high plasma densities, and the anomalous electron transport in the plasma needs to be reduced, likely by suppression of the plasma instabilities. Yet, despite the potential challenges that these may represent, it is clear current thrusters are operating these thrusters well below their potential capability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 29, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310278
Entities
People
- Michael Keidar
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- George Washington University
- United States Air Force