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A Plasmoid Thruster for Space PropulsionThere are a number of possible advantages to using accelerated plasmoids for in-space propulsion. A plasmoid is a compact plasma structure with an integral magnetic field. They have been studied extensively in controlled fusion research and are classified according to the relative strength of the poloidal and toroidal magnetic field (BP and Bt, respectively). An Object with B P t >> 1 is classified as a Field Reverse Configuration (FRC); if B, = Bt, it is called a Spheromak. The plasmoid thruster operates by producing FRC-like plasmoids, and subsequently ejecting them from the device at high velocity. The plasmoid is formed inside of a single turn conical theta-pinch coil. As this process is inductive, there are no electrodes. Similar experiments have yielded plasmoid velocities of at least 50 km/s (l), and calculations indicate that velocities in excess of 100 km/s should be possible. This concept should be capable of producing Isp s in the range of 5,000 - 10,000 s with thrust densities of order 10(exp 5) N/sq m. The current experiment is designed to produce jet powers in the range of 5-10 kW, although the concept should be scalable to several MW s. The plasmoids mass and velocity will be measured with a variety of diagnostics, including internal and external B-dot probes, flux loops, Langmuir probes, high-speed cameras, and a laser interferometer. Also of key importance will be measurements of the efficiency and mass utilization. Simulations of the plasmoid thruster using MOQUI, a time dependent MHD code, will be carried out concurrently with experimental testing.
Document ID
20030066148
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Koelfgen, Syri J.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Hawk, Clark W.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Eskridge, Richard
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Smith, James W.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Martin, Adam K.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: 39th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference
Location: Huntsville, AL
Country: United States
Start Date: July 20, 2003
End Date: July 23, 2003
Sponsors: American Society for Electrical Engineers, American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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