Electric resistance thermal propulsion systems that are configured to heat propellants for expulsion from a thruster using a heat exchanger that includes ultra-high temperature ceramics, such as hafnium carbide (HfC), are disclosed. The heating chamber may also be constructed from such materials. In operation, the electric resistance thermal propulsion system raises the temperature of the propellants that exit the heating chamber to expand in the nozzle to generate thrust. HfC, for example, has both metal and ceramic properties, and thus, it can conduct the electrical current. The higher the temperature, the higher the specific impulse that can be generated, and the electric resistance thermal propulsion systems can tolerate a much higher temperature than has been possible before with this type of thruster.
Advanced electric resistance thermal propulsion systems
2025-06-17
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS |
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