NASA NTRS · 19910067822
Coaxial plasma thrusters for high specific impulse propulsion
Abstract
A fundamental basis for coaxial plasma thruster performance is presented and the steady-state, ideal MHD properties of a coaxial thruster using an annular magnetic nozzle are discussed. Formulas for power usage, thrust, mass flow rate, and specific impulse are acquired and employed to assess thruster performance. The performance estimates are compared with the observed properties of an unoptimized coaxial plasma gun. These comparisons support the hypothesis that ideal MHD has an important role in coaxial plasma thruster dynamics.
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Schoenberg, Kurt F., Gerwin, Richard A., Barnes, Cris W., Henins, Ivars, Mayo, Robert, Moses, Ronald, Jr., Scarberry, Richard, Wurden, Glen. 1991-09-01. Coaxial plasma thrusters for high specific impulse propulsion. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19910067822
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.