Title :
Development of electrodeless electric propulsion systems using high-density helicon plasmas: The HEAT project
Author :
Motomura, Taisei ; Shinohara, Shunjiro ; Tanikawa, Takao ; Hada, Tohru ; Funaki, Ikkoh ; Nishida, Hiroyuki ; Shamrai, Konstantin P. ; Matsuoka, Takeshi ; Otsuka, Fumiko ; Rudenko, Timofei S. ; Ohno, Eiji ; Yokoi, Kenji ; Nakamura, Takahiro
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Adv. Energy Eng. Sci., Kyushu Univ., Fukuoka, Japan
Abstract :
In order to develop completely electrodeless next generation plasma thrusters for deep space missions, we have initiated the HEAT (Helicon Electrodeless Advanced Thruster) project. In our scheme, source plasmas are generated by means of the highly efficient helicon-wave discharge; they are then electromagnetically accelerated using external antennas to yield a thrust. The entire process can be achieved without using any eroding electrodes, leading to plasma thrusters of a limitless lifetime.
Keywords :
antennas in plasma; discharges (electric); plasma density; plasma devices; HEAT project; electrodeless electric propulsion system; electrodeless next generation plasma thrusters; eroding electrode analysis; external antenna system; helicon electrodeless advanced thruster project; helicon-wave discharge; high-density helicon plasma; space missions; Acceleration; Educational institutions; Electrodes; Magnetic fields; Plasmas; Radio frequency; Temperature measurement;
Conference_Titel :
General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, 2011 XXXth URSI
Conference_Location :
Istanbul
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-5117-3
DOI :
10.1109/URSIGASS.2011.6051085
