1 Introduction Electrostatic thrusters (“ion engines”) are the best developed type of electric propulsion device, dating in conception to the ‘50’s,(1) and having been demonstrated in space in 1964 on a suborbital flight of the SERT I spacecraft(2). The early history

Ionization and Conduction in a High-pressure Plasma A normal gas at T <3000K is a good electrical insulator, because there are almost no ∼ free electrons in it. For pressure

The STAR 13B incorporates the lightweight case developed for the STAR 13 with the propellant and nozzle design of the earlier TE-M-516 apogee motor. The motor case has been stretched 2.2 inches to provide for increased propellant loading. The motor has been used to adjust orbit inclination of a satellite from a Delta launch

Electrothermal Augmentation Concept Geostationary satellites are most of the time exposed to the sun, but they still are subject to eclipse periods around the two vernal points (March 21, September 21);

method was developed by Raschig. Anhydrous hydrazine is a clear, colorless, hygroscopic liquid with an odor similar to that of ammonia. Anhydrous hydrazine is a strong reducing agent and a weak chemical base. Aqueous hydrazine shows both oxidizing and reducing properties. Although potential data show hydrazine

Systems Considerations (Valving, tanks, etc) Characteristics of some monopropellants (Reprinted from H. Koelle, Handbook of Astronautical Engineering, McGraw-Hill, 1961.) Flame Chemical Density temp

Suppose we want to move a satellite in a circular orbit to a position ∆ϑ apart in the same orbit, in a time ∆t (assumed to be several orbital times at least). The general approach is to transfer to a lower (for positive ∆ϑ ) or higher (for ∆ϑ < 0 ) nearby

The only practical way to accelerate something in free space is by reaction. The idea is the same as in air breathing propulsion (to push something backwards) but in rockets the “something” must be inside and is lost. Here is a revealing derivation of the thrust equation for vacuum:

The result appears to be trivial, but it is not. Notice that the “velocity increment” ∆V is actually equal to the decrease in orbital velocity. The rocket is pushing forward, but the velocity is decreasing. This is because in a r-2 force field, the kinetic energy is equal in magnitude but of the opposite sign

1. Constant Power and Thrust: Prescribed Mission Time Starting with a mass M0 , and operating for a time t an electric thruster of jet speed c, such as to accomplish an equivalent (force-free) velocity change of ∆V , the final