Title: Next-Generation Electric Propulsion Thrusters
Abstract: *This publication documents the design, anticipated operational, and performance characteristics of a new class of (‘Next-Generation’) Electric Propulsion Thrusters. Two of several possible physical manifestations of the class are presented: one a new ion thruster design; and the second an electric-propulsion hybrid concept. In the former, the AnnularGeometry Ion Engine (AGI-Engine), substantial increases in input power (>10X, up to 100’s of kWe), and power density (>3X), might be realized relative to conventional ion thrusters. Other salient features of the scalable design may afford additional significant performance and life advantages. In the latter, a hybrid referred to as the Dual-Mode Hybrid-Engine (DMH-Engine), may provide a single device with the throttling range and specific impulse capability of both Hall-Effect thrusters and ion thrusters while exceeding both the efficiency (at fixed input power) and input power capability (at fixed specific impulse) of conventional ion thrusters of equivalent beam area.
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-07-31
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 9
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