The magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster is potentially capable of providing 20-200 N of steady-state thrust, at 1000-20,000 s specific impulse while consuming a variety of propellants and megawatts of DC power. The specific impulse and power capacity put the MPD thruster in a class separate from other electric propulsion engines. Several types of missions are enhanced by the unique capabilities of a nuclear-electric driven MPD thruster and these include earth-orbit raising, cis-lunar transportation, and planetary exploration. This paper describes current MPD thruster technology, and several missions typical of the above cited categories.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    A review of the multimegawatt MPD thruster and current mission applications


    Contributors:
    King, D. Q. (author) / Sercel, J. C. (author)

    Publication date :

    1986-06-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





    Measured performance of a multimegawatt MPD thruster

    Burton, R. L. / Clark, K. E. / Jahn, R. G. | NTRS | 1983


    Measured performance of a multimegawatt MPD thruster

    BURTON, R. L. / CLARK, K. E. / JAHN, R. G. | AIAA | 1983



    Multimegawatt power distribution considerations

    Goto, E.K. / Hayden, J.H. | Tema Archive | 1986