Title :
Computational Investigations of Performance Improvements for Microlaser Ablation Plasma Thrusters Using Nozzles
Author :
Thompson, Richard J. ; Moeller, Trevor M.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Mech., Aerosp., & Biomed. Eng., Univ. of Tennessee Space Inst., Tullahoma, TN, USA
Abstract :
Recent work has investigated the microlaser ablation plasma thruster, which is a subkilogram form of satellite propulsion. Computational simulations that investigate the microthruster operation by the ablation of plasma through a nozzle using a magnetohydrodynamic code are presented. The performance improvement to the microthruster with a nozzle is compared with previous simulations wherein a passive solid propellant was ablated without a nozzle. The model provides insight to the plasma generation and expansion from the fuel tape. Results show up to a 36% improvement in the laser momentum coupling coefficient and up to 50% improvement in specific impulse.
Keywords :
laser ablation; nozzles; plasma devices; plasma light propagation; plasma magnetohydrodynamics; plasma simulation; computational simulation; laser momentum coupling coefficient; magnetohydrodynamic code; microlaser ablation plasma thruster; nozzles; plasma generation process; satellite propulsion system; solid propellant analysis; Computational modeling; Laser ablation; Laser modes; Magnetohydrodynamics; Plasmas; Propulsion; Solid modeling; Laser plasma; magnetohydrodynamic simulation; microthruster;
Journal_Title :
Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TPS.2011.2159626
