Plasma Propulsion

1
Plasma Propulsion

• Josh Clanton
• Derek Kerley
• ELEC 6750
• 4/21/04

2
Outline

• Review
• Questions
• More on M2P2
• Classifications Examples
• Advanced Concepts
• Conclusion
• Answers to Questions

3
Questions

• What are the three categories of plasma
  propulsion?
• What is Magnetic Confinement Fusion Propulsion
  (MCF)?

4
Review

• Why plasma propulsion?
• Higher specific impulse
• Lower fuel payload travel time
• Space Travel and exploration
• Satellites
• Main Propulsion system on deep space mission

5
Review Terms

• Thrust how much force an engine can push with.
• Specific Impulse the number of seconds a rocket
  engine can produce one pound of thrust from one
  pound of fuel.
• Exhaust Velocity Velocity of propellant as it
  leaves the space craft.

The SpaceSite.com http//www.thespacesite.com/s
pace/future/electric.php
6
Review Types of Plasma Propulsion

• Resistojets, Arcjets
• Ion Propulsion
• Hall Effect Thrusters
• MPD Thrusters
• EPPP
• VASIMR
• LAPPS
• M2P2

7
M2P2 Review

• Mini-Magnetospheric Plasma Propulsion
• Idea ride the solar wind particles moving at
  supersonic speeds through space, 300-800 km/s
• Large magnetic bubble deflects solar wind
  particles
• Force accelerates space craft

Robert Winglee, Mini-Magnetoshperic Plasma
Propulsion (M2P2) High Speed Propulsion Sailing
the Solar Wind, in Space Technology and
Applications International Forum 2000, El-Genk,
Ed. American Institute of Physics, 2000, CP504.
8
More on M2P2

• University of Washington Winglees prototype
  successful
• Video

R. M. Winglee, Magnetic Inflation by the
Mini-Magnetoshperic Plasma Propulsion (M2P2)
Prototype, in Space Technology and Applications
International Forum STAIF 2002, El-Genck, Ed.
American Institue of Physics, 2002, CP654.
9
M2P2 Computer Model

• Saikat Saha Computer model of M2P2
• Electrons treated as fluids
• Ions treated as particles
• Theoretical plasma volume Lx x Ly x Lz 64 x
  64 x 64?i
• ?i ion inertial length c/?pi (speed of
  light) / (ion plasma frequency)

Saikat Saha, Development of a 3-D Hybrid Code
and Its Application to M2P2, in Space Technology
and Applications International Forum STAIF
2002, El-Genck, Ed. American Institute of
Physics, 2002, CP608.
10
Simulation Results

• Magnetic Field at y 32 ?i
• Contours of Bgt0.001 expand
• Injected Plasma balloons magnetic field

Saikat Saha, Development of a 3-D Hybrid Code
and Its Application to M2P2, in Space Technology
and Applications International Forum STAIF
2002, El-Genck, Ed. American Institute of
Physics, 2002, CP608.
11
Science Fiction to Science

• George Lucas Star Wars, 1970s
• Spacecraft used sails to move through space
• M2P2 is making this vision possible

http//aifandom.com/clonewars/vehicles/starships.p
hp http//www.starwars.com/databank/starship/solar
sailer/
12
3 Categories

• Electrothermal propulsion
• Electrostatic propulsion
• Electromagnetic propulsion
• Categorized according to ionization and
  acceleration methods

Jahn, Rogert G., Choueri, Edgar Y. Electric
Propulsion Encyclopedia of Physical Science and
Technology 5 (2002) 125-141.
13
Electrothermal Propulsion

• Definition plasma is heated ionized first
  and then a nozzle converts thermal energy into
  controlled stream of exhaust
• Examples
• Resistojets
• Arcjets

Lerner, Eric J. Plasma Propulsion in Space. The
Industrial Physicist 6 (2000) 16-19.
14
Resistojets

• Propellant is heated by passing over Tungsten
  element within a heat exchanger
• Propellant is expanded in nozzle

Jordan, Ian J. E. Electric Propulsion Which One
For My Spacecraft? http//www-int.stsci.edu/jord
an/other/electric_propulsion_3.pdf (2000).
15
Resistojets

• Temperature limitations lt 3000 K
• Exhaust velocities lt 10,000 m/sec
• Benefit
• Easily integrated with previously developed and
  commonly used propellant storage systems.
• Low operational voltage
• Compact and Lightweight

Jahn, Rogert G., Choueri, Edgar Y. Electric
Propulsion Encyclopedia of Physical Science and
Technology 5 (2002) 125-141.
16
Arcjets

• Propellant is injected tangentially
• Propellant is heated by arc of current passing
  through it
• Expanded in Nozzle/Anode

Jahn, Rogert G., Choueri, Edgar Y. Electric
Propulsion Encyclopedia of Physical Science and
Technology 5 (2002) 125-141.
17
Arcjets

• Chamber temperature lt 10,000 K
• Exhaust velocities gt 10,000 m/sec
• Benefit offer substantial propellant mass
  savings over all previous propulsion systems

Jahn, Rogert G., Choueri, Edgar Y. Electric
Propulsion Encyclopedia of Physical Science and
Technology 5 (2002) 125-141.
18
Electrostatic propulsion

• Definition - ionizes propellant and then charged
  grids accelerate ions.
• Example Ion Thrusters

Jahn, Rogert G., Choueri, Edgar Y. Electric
Propulsion Encyclopedia of Physical Science and
Technology 5 (2002) 125-141.
19
Ion Thrusters
Propellant is ionized by ion bombardment
Ions remain in envelope with low divergence
Wilbur, Paul J., Rawlin, Vincent K., Beattie,
J.R. Ion Thruster Development Trends and Status
in the United States Journal of Propulsion and
Power 14 (1998) 708-15.
Jahn, Rogert G., Choueri, Edgar Y. Electric
Propulsion Encyclopedia of Physical Science and
Technology 5 (2002) 125-141.
20
Electromagnetic propulsion

• Definition uses current density and magnetic
  field to produce the J x B Lorentz force.
• Examples
• Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters
• Hall-effect thrusters

Lerner, Eric J. Plasma Propulsion in Space. The
Industrial Physicist 6 (2000) 16-19.
21
MPD thrusters

• High exhaust velocity capability
• High thrust capability

Gilland, James, Johnston, Geoffrey. MPD
Thruster Performance Analytic Models AIP
Conference Proceedings 654 (2003) 516-24.
22
Advanced Propulsion Concepts

• Magnetic Confinement Fusion Propulsion (MCF)
• Lorentz Forces help to contain plasma (ions
  electrons) with strong electromagnetic fields
• Two methods Tandem Mirror Tokamak

Advanced Propulsion Concepts,
http//www.islandone.org/APC/Nuclear/12.html.
23
Question Answers

• What are the three categories of plasma
  propulsion? Electrothermal, electrostatic, and
  electromagnetic
• What is Magnetic Confinement Fusion Propulsion
  (MCF)? MCF is a system that uses Lorentz Forces
  that help to contain plasma (ions electrons)
  with strong electromagnetic fields

24
Conclusions

• M2P2 Computer model physical prototype ?
  positive results
• Three categories of propulsion electrothermal,
  electrostatic, electromagnetic
• Plasma Propulsion ? continued development may
  lead to common usage

25
Outline

• Review
• Questions
• More on M2P2
• Classifications Examples
• Advanced Concepts
• Conclusion
• Answers to Questions

26
Questions?