Development of a quasi-steady MPD arcjet thruster for near-earth missions
A quasi-steady multimegawatt magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) arcjet thruster with applied magnetic fields has been investigated to achieve the high thrust performance at the specific impulse between 1000 and 2000 sec, which is demanded for space missions near the earth. The applied field coils are connected in series with a power source (pulse forming network). Field application causes lower discharge voltages and greater thrusts than those for no applied field under the following special conditions: (1) the applied field intensity is equal to the self-field one only in the main current conduction region in front of the cathode tip, and (2) the magnetic field line is parallel to the anode inside surface. The cathode diameter has no influence on the thrust performance with the applied field for ammonia propellant. According to these guidelines, a method for generation of the preferred field is proposed. A new MPD thruster with the preferred field is designed and is further improved in the thrust performance. 9 references.
- Research Organization:
- Osaka Univ., Toyonaka, Japan
- OSTI ID:
- 6187557
- Report Number(s):
- AIAA-Paper-8-1001; CONF-870558-
- Journal Information:
- AIAA Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: AIAA Pap.; (United States); ISSN AAPRA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
AMMONIA
DESIGN
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ENGINES
FLUID MECHANICS
FUELS
HYDRIDES
HYDRODYNAMICS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN FUELS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
PERFORMANCE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
ROCKET ENGINES
SYNTHETIC FUELS
THRUSTERS