Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion

Throughout most of the twentieth century, electric propulsion wasconsidered the technology of the future. Now, the future hasarrived.This important new book explains the fundamentals of electricpropulsion for spacecraft and describes in detail the physics andcharacteristics of the two major electric thrusters in use today,ion and Hall thrusters. The authors provide an introduction toplasma physics in order to allow readers to understand the modelsand derivations used in determining electric thruster performance.They then go on to present detailed explanations of:* Thruster principles* Ion thruster plasma generators and accelerator grids* Hollow cathodes* Hall thrusters* Ion and Hall thruster plumes* Flight ion and Hall thrustersBased largely on research and development performed at the JetPropulsion Laboratory (JPL) and complemented with scores of tables,figures, homework problems, and references, Fundamentals ofElectric Propulsion: Ion and Hall Thrusters is an indispensabletextbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students who arepreparing to enter the aerospace industry. It also serves as anequally valuable resource for professional engineers already atwork in the field.

Note from the Series Editor.Foreword.Preface.Acknowledgments.Chapter 1: Introduction.1.1 Electric Propulsion Background.1.2 Electric Thruster Types.1.3 Ion Thruster Geometry.1.4 Hall Thruster Geometry.1.5 Beam/Plume Characteristics.References.Chapter 2: Thruster Principles.2.1 The Rocket Equation.2.2 Force Transfer in Ion and Hall Thrusters.2.3 Thrust.2.4 Specific Impulse.2.5 Thruster Efficiency.2.6 Power Dissipation.2.7 Neutral Densities and Ingestion in Electric Thrusters.References.Problems.Chapter 3: Basic Plasma Physics.3.1 Introduction.3.2 Maxwell's Equations.3.3 Single Particle Motions.3.4 particle Energies and Velocities.3.5 Plasma as a Fluid.3.6 Diffusion in Partially Ionized Gases.3.7 Sheaths at the Boundaries of Plasmas.References.Problems.Chapter 4: Ion Thruster Plasma Generators.4.1 Introduction.4.2 Idealized Ion Thruster Plasma Generator.4.3 DC Discharge Ion Thruster.4.4 Kaufman Ion Thrusters.4.5 rf Ion Thrusters.4.6 Microwave Ion Thrusters.4.7 2-D Computer Models of the Ion Thruster DischargeChamber.References.Problems.Chapter 5: Ion Thruster Accelerator Grids.5.1 Grid Configurations.5.2 Ion Accelerator Basics.5.3 Ion Optics.5.4 Electron Backstreaming.5.5 High-Voltage Considerations.5.6 Ion Accelerator Grid Life.References.Problems.Chapter 6: Hollow Cathodes.6.1 Introduction.6.2 Cathode Configurations.6.3 Thermionic Electron Emitter Characteristics.6.4 Insert Region Plasma.6.5 Orifice Region Plasma.6.6 Hollow cathode Thermal Models.6.7 Cathode Plume-Region Plasma.6.8 Hollow Cathode Life.6.9 Keeper Wear and Life.6.10 Hollow Cathode Operation.References.Problems.Chapter 7: Hall Thrusters.7.1 Introduction.7.2 Thruster Operating Principles and Scaling.7.3 Hall Thruster Performance Models.7.4 Channel Physics and Numerical Modeling.7.5 Hall Thruster Life.References.Problems.Chapter 8: Ion and Hall Thruster Plumes.8.1 Introduction.8.2 Plume Physics.8.3 Plume Models.8.4 Spacecraft Interactions.8.5 Interactions with Payloads.References.Problems.Chapter 9: Flight Ion and Hall Thrusters.9.1 Introduction.9.2 Ion Thrusters.9.3 Hall Thrusters.References.Appendices.A: Nomenclature.B: Gas Flow Unit Conversions and Cathode Pressure Estimates.C: Energy Loss by Electrons.D: Ionization and Excitation Cross Sections for Xenon.E: Ionization and Excitation Reaction Rates for Xenon inMaxwellian Plasmas.F: Electron Relaxation and Thermalization Times.G: Clausing Factor Monte Carlo Calculation.Index..