Helicon double-layer thruster

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The helicon double-layer thruster is a prototype electric spacecraft propulsion. It was created by Australian scientist Christine Charles, based on a technology invented by Professor Rod Boswell, both of the Australian National University.

The design has been verified by the

ESA
, which is participating in its development.

Theory of operation

A helicon double-layer thruster (HDLT) is a type of

electromagnetic wave emitted by the antenna causes the gas to break down and form a plasma. The antenna then excites a helicon
wave in the plasma, which further heats the plasma.

The device has a roughly constant

ions
away from the source region. Enough electrons escape the source region to ensure that the plasma in the exhaust is neutral overall. Like most ion propulsion devices, the HDLT is a low-thrust, high–specific-impulse (high-Isp) thruster.

A prototype 15 cm diameter thruster, operated in low-magnetic-field mode, underwent initial thrust testing in 2010, however, a more complete testing method would be necessary to properly calculate the total thrust.[1] In 2014, the final thruster prototype was undergoing tests at the space simulation facility dubbed "Wombat XL" located at the Australian National University (ANU) Mount Stromlo Observatory.[2][3]

The HDLT has two main advantages over most other ion thruster designs. First, it creates an accelerating electric field without inserting unreliable components like high-voltage grids into the plasma (the only plasma-facing component is the robust plasma vessel); secondly, a neutralizer is not needed, since there are equal numbers of electrons and (singly charged) positive ions emitted. So, with neither moving mechanical parts nor susceptibility to erosion, Charles explains, 'As long as you provide the power and the propellant you can go forever.'[2]

Applications

The primary application for this thruster design is intended for satellite station-keeping, long-term

satellites, this type of thruster could also significantly reduce the length of interplanetary space trips.[4] For example, a trip to Mars could be shortened to three months instead of the eight to nine months with conventional chemical rockets.[5][6][failed verification
]

See also

References

  1. doi:10.1088/0022-3727/43/30/305203
    .
  2. ^ a b "Testing ground set for plasma jar to the stars". ResearchCareer. March 11, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  3. ^ "Wombat puts electric rocket through its paces". Stories of Australian Science. May 16, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  4. ^ "HDLT Applications". Plasma Research Laboratory. Archived from the original on March 2, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  5. ^ Tarantola, Andrew (June 13, 2012). "Australia Is Building a Pee-Powered Ion Thruster". Gizmodo. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  6. ^ "How long would a trip to Mars take?". Retrieved July 19, 2016.

Sources

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