A new engine for propulsion in space, i.e., the dust-plasma thruster, is proposed. The scheme uses plasma thermal energy to charge externally injected sub-micrometer-sized particles and simultaneously create electric fields in the plasma that accelerates them. Particles are subsequently charge stripped and exhausted to produce electrically neutral thrust obviating the need of a charge neutralizer. For reasonable plasma and particle parameters, thrust and specific impulse over a broad range may be produced. The dependence of thrust on particle size, number of injected particles, and plasma temperature density allows for a better thruster precision. The scheme is shown to have modest power requirements. It may be realized in a simple design where there are no high voltage grids or electrodes, charge neutralizer, valves, pressurized gases, etc., and can operate in space or vacuum. A layout for the possible configuration is described.
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May 2007
Research Article|
May 29 2007
Micropropulsion in space via dust-plasma thruster
K. Avinash;
K. Avinash
a)
Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP),
University of California
, Riverside, California 92521
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G. P. Zank
G. P. Zank
Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP),
University of California
, Riverside, California 92521
Search for other works by this author on:
a)
Permanent address: Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi 7, India.
Phys. Plasmas 14, 053507 (2007)
Article history
Received:
February 12 2007
Accepted:
March 13 2007
Citation
K. Avinash, G. P. Zank; Micropropulsion in space via dust-plasma thruster. Phys. Plasmas 1 May 2007; 14 (5): 053507. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2722266
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