A higher specific impulse and a larger thrust are required for a mannedinterplanetary space thruster. Prior to a realization of a fusion-plasma thruster, amagneto-plasma-dynamic arcjet (MPDA) powered by a fission reac...A higher specific impulse and a larger thrust are required for a mannedinterplanetary space thruster. Prior to a realization of a fusion-plasma thruster, amagneto-plasma-dynamic arcjet (MPDA) powered by a fission reactor is one of the promising candidatesfor a manned Mars space thruster. The MPDA plasma is accelerated axially by a self-induced j x Bforce. Thrust performance of the MPDA is expected to increase by applying a magnetic nozzle insteadof a solid nozzle. In order to get a much higher thruster performance, two methods have beeninvestigated in the HITOP device, Tohoku University. One is to use a magnetic Laval nozzle in thevicinity of the MPDA muzzle for converting the high ion thermal energy to the axial flow energy. Theother is to heat ions by use of an ICRF antenna in the divergent magnetic nozzle. It is found thatby use of a small-sized Laval-type magnetic nozzle, the subsonic flow near the muzzle is convertedto be supersonic through the magnetic Laval nozzle. A fast-flowing plasma is successfully heated byuse of an ICRF antenna in the magnetic beach configuration.展开更多
文摘A higher specific impulse and a larger thrust are required for a mannedinterplanetary space thruster. Prior to a realization of a fusion-plasma thruster, amagneto-plasma-dynamic arcjet (MPDA) powered by a fission reactor is one of the promising candidatesfor a manned Mars space thruster. The MPDA plasma is accelerated axially by a self-induced j x Bforce. Thrust performance of the MPDA is expected to increase by applying a magnetic nozzle insteadof a solid nozzle. In order to get a much higher thruster performance, two methods have beeninvestigated in the HITOP device, Tohoku University. One is to use a magnetic Laval nozzle in thevicinity of the MPDA muzzle for converting the high ion thermal energy to the axial flow energy. Theother is to heat ions by use of an ICRF antenna in the divergent magnetic nozzle. It is found thatby use of a small-sized Laval-type magnetic nozzle, the subsonic flow near the muzzle is convertedto be supersonic through the magnetic Laval nozzle. A fast-flowing plasma is successfully heated byuse of an ICRF antenna in the magnetic beach configuration.
