Contactless steering of a plasma jet with a 3D magnetic nozzle Articles uri icon

publication date

  • August 2017

start page

  • 1

end page

  • 10

issue

  • 9 (095001)

volume

  • 26

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0963-0252

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1361-6595

abstract

  • A 3D, steerable magnetic nozzle (MN) is presented that enables contactless thrust vector control of a plasma jet without any moving parts. The concept represents a substantial simplification over current plasma thruster gimbaled platforms, and requires only a small modification in thrusters that already have a MN. The characteristics of the plasma expansion in the 3D magnetic field and the deflection performance of the device are characterized with a fully magnetized plasma model, suggesting that thrust deflections of 5 degrees - 10 degrees are readily achievable.

subjects

  • Aeronautics
  • Physics

keywords

  • electric space propulsion; thrust vector control; magnetic nozzles