Application of electric thrusters in a spacecraft propulsion system

Abstract

The place of electric rocket thrusters in a spacecraft propulsion system is pointed out; the tasks for such propulsion system are described. The modern classification of electric thrusters is given, in accordance of that one there are four classes, dissimilar due to a nature of processes that impart a kinetic energy to a propellant: electrothermal, electrostatic, pulsed and magnetoplasmodynamic. In order to illustrate an electric rocket thrusters sate of art, examples different classes electric rocket thrusters for modern spacecrafts are presented; the technical characteristics, such a thrust, specific impulse, powered energy and efficiency are systematized. As a general electric rocket thrusters for spacecraft propulsion system were chosen electrostatic thrusters: stationary plasma (Hall thrusters) and ion thusters. For the different classes of electric rocket thrusters the common characteristics are defined as a set of: specific impulse (that describes thruster propellant efficiency), thrust cost (determines electric power consumption per unit thrust) and propellant type (combines thruster’s technical and economical characteristics). A necessity is stated to take into account the cost parameters of an electric rocket thruster design and a manufacturing during a propulsion system developing for a next generation spacecraft. The tasks are determined for the further research in the area of a techno-economic efficiency of electric rocket thrusters exploiting as a part of a spacecraft’s propulsion system.

Keywords

• spacecraft
• propulsion system
• electric rocket thruster
• electric rocket thrusters classification
• techno-economic efficiency