Introduction to Plasmas and Plasma Dynamics

Plasma Thrusters

Introduction

The development of devices for plasma propulsion in space has been of interest for more than 50 years (Choueiri, 2004). For a thruster in space, we can express the thrust as: T=m˙·uex, which is the product of propellant mass flow rate and exhaust velocity relative to the rocket.

The promise of high specific impulse (I_sp = u_ex/g₀, g₀ is Earth gravity) provides the possibility of deep space missions that are otherwise unattainable. This can most easily be seen in the mission equation:

mfmi=e−Δvuex,

where the final spacecraft ...