Electric propulsion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Electric propulsion is a form of spacecraft propulsion used in outer space. This type of rocket engines utilize electric energy to obtain thrust, unlike the "normal" rocket engines that use chemical energy. While electric thrusters' thrust is weaker compared to chemical thrusters by several orders of magnitude, it offers much higher specific impulse.[1]
The idea of electric propulsion dates back to 1906, when Robert Goddard considered the possibility in his personal notebook.[2] Konstantin Tsiolkovsky published the idea in 1911.
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[edit] Types of electric propulsion
The various technologies of electric propulsion for spacecraft are usually grouped in three families based on the type of force used to accelerate the ions of the plasma.
[edit] Electrostatic
If the acceleration is caused mainly by the Coulomb Force (i.e application of a static electric field in the direction of the acceleration) the device is considered electrostatic.
[edit] Electrothermal
The electrothermal category groups the devices where the electromagnetics fields are used to increase the heat of the plasma, the thermal energy being converted into kinetic energy by a nozzle, either material or magnetic.
[edit] Electromagnetic
If the ions are accelerated either by the Lorentz Force or by the effect of an electromagnetic fields where the electric field is not in the direction of the acceleration, the device is considered electomagnetic.
[edit] References
- ^ Electric versus Chemical Propulsion. Electric Spacecraft Propulsion. ESA. Retrieved on February 17, 2007.
- ^ Choueiri, Edgar Y. (2004). "A Critical History of Electric Propulsion: The First 50 Years (1906–1956)". Journal of Propulsion and Power 20 (2): 193–203.
