Stationary plasma thrusters (SPT) and more recent developments are reviewed. Together with SPT in the combined plasma jet unit of space satellites and similar space apparatuses, there is significant interest in electrothermal or thermocatalytic thrusters. Promising results are achieved with magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters, which have flow velocities an order of magnitude higher than in plasmatrons and particles concentrations an order higher than in other stationary accelerators. They are used widely in geophysical investigations, on satellites, for ballistic experiments, and are indispensable in the technology of implantation of deposited material in a lining. In these areas the pulsed plasma thrusters which are actually MPD thrusters, can be considered as equal partners. The MPD thrusters could be used for the international flight project to Mars.
Recent Progress in the USSR Electric Propulsion
1988
11 pages
Report
No indication
English
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