Physics of a new low power electrothermal radiofrequency plasma thruster

电推进是航天器姿态控制的新潮流。空间发动机必须体积小、重量轻，并且能够在非常恶劣的环境中无人值守地运行20年以上。本文将研究一种新的射频等离子体推力器的物理特性。中性气体加热最初将通过光谱学与计算机生成的模拟光谱相结合进行量化。将设计、制造和开发一个空间准备原型，以便在我们的大型空间模拟真空设施中直接测量推力和气体加热。

Electric propulsion is the new wave of attitude control for spacecraft. Space engines must be small, lightweight and able to run unattended for over 20 years in a very harsh environment. The physics of a new electrothermal radiofrequency plasma thruster will be investigated. Neutral gas heating will be initially quantified by optical spectroscopy combined with computer generated simulated spectra. A space ready prototype will be designed, manufactured and developed to carry out direct measurements of thrust and gas heating in our large space simulation vacuum facility.