Back to Search Start Over

Operation of a plasma thruster featuring a 1.1 T high temperature superconducting magnet.

Authors :
Acheson, Chris R.
Kinefuchi, Kiyoshi
Ichihara, Daisuke
Maeshima, Daiki
Mori, Ryoyu
Nakano, Ryota
Takagi, Ryohei
Bouloukakis, Konstantinos
Glowacki, Jakub
Goddard-Winchester, Max
Long, Nicholas J.
Olatunji, Jamal R.
Pavri, Betina
Pollock, Randy
Shellard, Cameron
Strickland, Nicholas M.
Wimbush, Stuart C.
Source :
Journal of Electric Propulsion; 9/13/2024, Vol. 3 Issue 1, p1-13, 13p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Increasingly ambitious space missions rely upon the advancement of propulsion systems, and innovations in electric propulsion represent a vital step toward potential solutions. Electric propulsion research has indicated improved thruster performance at higher magnetic fields, but real-world implementations have been encumbered by available magnet technology. In this study, a new class of superconducting magnet designed for such space applications is demonstrated. A central cathode electrostatic thruster was paired with a conduction cooled high temperature superconducting magnet operated in non-pulsed mode. Using Xe propellant, thrust of 38–73 mN was measured at a central bore magnetic field of 1.13 T and on-anode field of 1.28 T, and the thruster's specific impulse was throttled between 1050s and 1450s. The peak thruster efficiency was 18.7%, inclusive of the power consumption of the magnet subsystems. This was performed without the onset of plasma instabilities, and is the first case in the literature of a high temperature superconducting plasma thruster operating at >1 T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
27314596
Volume :
3
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Electric Propulsion
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
179636829
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s44205-024-00080-3