NASA NTRS · 19850034290
Experiments with a microwave electrothermal thruster concept
Abstract
The design and test of two microwave electrothermal thrusters is described. The coaxial and cylindrical cavity concepts are tested in nitrogen gas with 200-2,000 W of 2.45 GHz input power. Experimental measurements and calculations of thrust, specific impulse and energy efficiency are presented for different gas flow rates and discharge pressures. Measured energy efficiencies varied between 10-60 percent and the performance compared favorably with other electrothermal thrusters operating in nitrogen gas. The experimental performance demonstrated the feasibility of the concept.
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Asmussen, J., Whitehair, S., Nakanishi, S.. 1984-01-01. Experiments with a microwave electrothermal thruster concept. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19850034290
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