Design of RF systems for the RTD mission VASIMR

Journal Article · Mon Sep 20 00:00:00 EDT 1999 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.59701· OSTI ID:20216714

Baity, F W ^[1]; Barber, G C ^[1]; Carter, M D ^[1]; Goulding, R H ^[1]; Sparks, D O ^[1]; Chang-Diaz, F R ^[2]; McCaskill, G E ^[2]; Squire, J P ^[2]

---

1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831 (United States)
2. Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory, NASA, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 77059 (United States)

The first flight test of the variable specific impulse magnetoplasma rocket (VASIMR) is tentatively scheduled for the Radiation and Technology Demonstration (RTD) in 2003. This mission to map the radiation environment out to several earth radii will employ both a Hall thruster and a VASIMR during its six months duration, beginning from low earth orbit. The mission will be powered by a solar array providing 12 kW of direct current electricity at 50 V. The VASIMR utilizes radiofrequency (RF) power both to generate a high-density plasma in a helicon source and to accelerate the plasma ions to high velocity by ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH). The VASIMR concept is being developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in collaboration with national laboratories and universities. Prototype plasma sources, RF amplifiers, and antennas are being developed in the experimental facilities of the Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory (ASPL). (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics.

• OSTI ID: 20216714
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 485, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: 20 Sep 1999; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PROPULSION REACTORS
ROCKETS
RF SYSTEMS
HELICON WAVES
PLASMA DENSITY