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Title: Evolution of small-space plasma in a microthruster designed for small spacecraft

Abstract

Plasma and gas particle dynamics in atmospheric pressure helium-filled small volume are investigated using a two-dimensional model. The model includes the conservation equations for the plasma and the neutral gas. In this paper, results are presented from simulation of the interaction between gas and charged species, which in turn causes heating and thrust generation for this microengine. Gas heating and neutral depletion initiations are observed, highlighting the close interaction between gas and charged species in governing the evolution of the small-space plasma inside a microthruster designed for microsatellites.

Authors:
 [1]
  1. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Department of Information and Computer Science (Saudi Arabia)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22314719
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Plasma Physics Reports
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 40; Journal Issue: 12; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 1063-780X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN; ENGINES; HELIUM; INTERSTELLAR SPACE; PLASMA; SPACE VEHICLES; TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS

Citation Formats

Farahat, A. M., E-mail: farahata@kfupm.edu.sa, and Ramadan, E. Evolution of small-space plasma in a microthruster designed for small spacecraft. United States: N. p., 2014. Web. doi:10.1134/S1063780X14110026.
Farahat, A. M., E-mail: farahata@kfupm.edu.sa, & Ramadan, E. Evolution of small-space plasma in a microthruster designed for small spacecraft. United States. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063780X14110026
Farahat, A. M., E-mail: farahata@kfupm.edu.sa, and Ramadan, E. 2014. "Evolution of small-space plasma in a microthruster designed for small spacecraft". United States. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063780X14110026.
@article{osti_22314719,
title = {Evolution of small-space plasma in a microthruster designed for small spacecraft},
author = {Farahat, A. M., E-mail: farahata@kfupm.edu.sa and Ramadan, E.},
abstractNote = {Plasma and gas particle dynamics in atmospheric pressure helium-filled small volume are investigated using a two-dimensional model. The model includes the conservation equations for the plasma and the neutral gas. In this paper, results are presented from simulation of the interaction between gas and charged species, which in turn causes heating and thrust generation for this microengine. Gas heating and neutral depletion initiations are observed, highlighting the close interaction between gas and charged species in governing the evolution of the small-space plasma inside a microthruster designed for microsatellites.},
doi = {10.1134/S1063780X14110026},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22314719}, journal = {Plasma Physics Reports},
issn = {1063-780X},
number = 12,
volume = 40,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2014},
month = {Mon Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2014}
}