Plasma Thrusters for In-Space Propulsion; New Trends and Physical Limitations

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 multi-electrode 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 distribution functions of the plasma jet exhasut obtained with retarded field energy analyzers that can be used to cross validate the results of numerical simulations.