Abstract:In-space plasma propulsion is today a necessity for the economic competitiveness of commercial satellites. In plasma thrusters the impulse is imparted by a mesothermal plasma jet where ions drift a supersonic velocities. Compact multielectrode systems for ion acceleration are studied by a combination of analytical calculations and computer simulations. The results show exahust speeds of 140 km/s can be reached with specific impulses higher than unsual plasma thrusters. Additionally, the ion velocity distributi… Show more
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