A propulsion system for spacecraft is based on an electric engine that expels propellant to achieve thrust. The propellant is first ionized to generate a plasma. Plasma particles are selectively accelerated via a pulsed laser that accelerates predominantly the electrons in the plasma. The electrons are expelled first, forming a space charge that acts as a virtual cathode to accelerate the positive ions. Interactions between the laser beam and plasma electrons are predominantly through the ponderomotive force.


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    Titel :

    Efficient Electric Spacecraft Propulsion


    Beteiligte:

    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2018-03-22


    Medientyp :

    Patent


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch


    Klassifikation :

    IPC:    F03H PRODUCING A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR , Erzeugung von Vortriebskraft [Schub] nach dem Prinzip des Rückstoßes, soweit nicht anderweitig vorgesehen / B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS / H01J Elektrische Entladungsröhren oder Entladungslampen , ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS




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    Barber, T. A. / Edberg, J. R. / Goldsmith, J. V. | NTRS | 1968


    Electric Propulsion of Spacecraft

    D. G. Fearn | NTIS | 1981


    Spacecraft electric propulsion -- Now

    Barber, T.A. / Goldsmith, J.V. / Edberg, J.R. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1968