Electric propulsion as a national capability

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Aerospace America; (USA)

OSTI ID:6617464

Beattie, J R; Penn, J P ^[1]

---

1. Hughes Research Laboratories, Malibu, CA (USA) Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA (USA)

Electric propulsion (EP) is broadly defined as the acceleration of gases for propulsion by electric heating and/or by electric and magnetic body forces; the high exhaust velocity of EP systems yields significant propellant savings relative to chemical; propulsion, facilitating spacecraft mass reductions or payload capacity enhancements. The attractiveness of EP increases as mass and power capacities of military, scientific, and commercial payloads increase. The low-thrust nature of EP requires, however, that devices operate longer to achieve the desired change in velocity. It is presently recommended that the U.S. capitalize on its current leadership in the EP field, developing such laboratory successes as arcjets and Xe-ion thrusters into operational spacecraft propulsion systems.

• OSTI ID: 6617464
• Journal Information: Aerospace America; (USA), Journal Name: Aerospace America; (USA) Vol. 28; ISSN AEAME; ISSN 0740-722X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320201* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Air & Aerospace
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330000 -- Advanced Propulsion Systems
DESIGN
ELECTRIC HEATING
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
HEATING
ION THRUSTERS
PROPELLANTS
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
SPACE VEHICLES
SPECIFICATIONS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
THRUSTERS
VEHICLES
WASTES
WEIGHT