In this thruster design, gas is injected into a tubular chamber the source tube with one open end. Helicon double layer thruster a helicon double layer thruster is a type of plasma thruster, which ejects high velocity ionized gas to provide thrust to a spacecraft. The propulsion community usually uses two quantities to qualify a thruster, the thrust t. The anu helicon double layer thruster hdlt concept 7 the experimental requirements for double layer creation, according to the australian group results, are. Downstream flow analysis of highpower helicon double gun. Like most ion propulsion devices, the hdlt is a low thrust, high specific impulse isp thruster. Downstream flow analysis of highpower helicon double gun thruster nao murakami, robert winglee, b. Performance characterization of a helicon double layer. Pdf performance characterization of a helicon double layer.
Jan 22, 2016 helicon double layer thruster the helicon double layer thruster is a prototype spacecraft propulsion engine. Ion acceleration mechanisms of helicon thrusters mitchell walker. The potential jump is larger than the experimental measurements and, sometimes, lower. In the fictional star trek universe, the impulse drive is the method of propulsion that starships and other spacecraft use when they are travelling below the speed of light. Variable specific impulse magnetoplasma rocket infogalactic. Using water vapor allows for insitu resource utilization, since water is thought to be ubiquitous throughout the solar system. It was created by australian scientist dr christine charles, based on a technology invented by professor rod boswell, both of the australian national university the design has been verified by the esa, which is participating in its development. The p52 also incorporates a plasma lens field line topography to improve plume focusing and a radial trim coil to allow for in situ control of the magnetic field topography.
A momentum flux measuring instrument mfmi has been used to take thrust measurements of the helicon double layer thruster hdlt prototype immersed in a vacuum chamber. Helicontype radiofrequency plasma thrusters and magnetic plasma. A twostage hall thruster with a helicon preionization stage has been. Abstract a currentfree electric double layer is created in a helicon double layer thruster operating with xenon and compared to a recently developed theory. The helicon double layer thru ster is a prototype spacecraft propulsion engine.
Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion project. Electric propulsion free download as powerpoint presentation. In this design, gas is injected into a tubular chamber the source tube with one open end. Ion and hall thrusters march 2008 the research described in this publication was carried out at the jet propulsion laboratory, california institute of technology, under a contract with the national aeronautics and space administration. Pdf helicontype radiofrequency plasma thrusters and magnetic. The helicon double layer thruster hdlt concept is based on the recent discovery of a currentfree electric double layer dl in a helicon plasma expanding in a diverging magnetic field.
This work makes several novel contributions to the field of electric propulsion. Variable specific impulse magnetoplasma rocket wikimili. Sp3 has invented the worlds first helicon double layer thruster hdlt. Helicon sources have been proposed by at least two groups for generating ions for space propulsion. This new propulsion concept has the potential to propel humans to mars and beyond and greatly decrease the costs of maintaining satellites and spacecraft in their desired orbits. A helicon double layer thruster is a type of plasma thruster, which ejects. Numerical simulation of the helicon double layer thruster concept. The next ion thruster is the latest generation of ion thrusters under development. More than 500 units of this thruster operate successfully in space. Typically powered by deuterium fusion reactors, impulse engines let ships travel interplanetary. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service. The thruster is called the helicon double layer thruster hdlt, and it works by passing hydrogen atoms through a magnetic field to create a beam of.
A mediumpower helicon thruster mpht is an electric propulsion device that uses a helicon plasma source to achieve specific impulses of up to 1500 s with argon propellant. Numerical simulation of the helicon double layer thruster. It is one of several types of spacecraft electric propulsion systems. The 1n monopropellant hydrazine thruster is used for attitude, trajectory and orbit control of small and midsize satellites and spacecraft. The results show a high energy ions flux at almost two times the ion sound speed. When the solar wind from the sun hits the earths magnetic field, it creates a boundary consisting of two plasma layers. A high specific impulse twostage hall thruster with plasma. Jan 29, 2004 the thruster is called the helicon double layer thruster hdlt, and it works by passing hydrogen atoms through a magnetic field to create a beam of plasma.
Abstracthelicon sources have been proposed by at least two groups for generating ions for space propulsion. A new thrusting technology called the helicon double layer thruster could be even more efficient with its fuel. A part of the performance degradation mechanism of the advanced, electrodeless, helicon plasma thruster with a magnetic nozzle, has been revealed by. Helicon double layer thruster concept for high power nep. The thruster is typically used in our own propulsion systems and is also available separately for use in our customers propulsion systems. Pdf the high power helicon hph plasma thruster under development at. The potential drop of the dl is situated in the physical and magnetic nozzle and accelerates the ions generated in the helicon plasma source. Executive final presentation of the act ariadna study on helicon thrusters together with cisas, university of padova, italy. As a result, the specific impulse of an electric propulsion system will be. A maximum effective specific impulse of 280 s was determined using the thrust data.
Numerical simulations of the helicon double layer thruster. It uses radio waves to ionize and heat a propellant, and magnetic fields to accelerate the resulting plasma to generate thrust plasma propulsion engine. A helicon double layer thruster is a type of plasma thruster, which ejects high velocity ionized gas to provide thrust to a spacecraft. Walker, advisor associate professor school of aerospace engineering. Deepspace or near earth planets nep explorations require large. The helicon plasma thruster hpt has been presented during the last decade as a novel electric. New advances on the simulation of the helicon plasma discharge are also detailed. Figure 1 photograph of the p52, a high specific impulse twostage hall thruster with plasma lens focusing. The helicon double layer thruster hdlt is being developed in the space plasma, power and propulsion group led by professor christine charles at the research school of physics at the australian national university in canberra, australia. A reversedfield energy analyzer past the double layer showed two peaks, one at the local space potential and the other 16v beyond that, indicative of an ion beam with vex 8. Dr christine charles has invented the worlds first helicon double layer thruster or hdlt. Specific impulse magnetohydrodynamic rocket vasimr concept at. It uses radio waves to ionize and heat an inert propellant, then a magnetic field to accelerate the resulting plasma, generating thrust. We present direct thrust, specific impulse, and thrust efficiency measurements of.
It was created by australian scientist dr christine charles, based on a technology. How is helicon double layer thruster physics abbreviated. The principle of this helicon double layer thruster is similar to that behind a natural phenomenon in space. The helicon doublelayer thruster is a prototype spacecraft propulsion engine.
Xenon ion beam characterization in a helicon double layer thruster c. The variable specific impulse magnetoplasma rocket vasimr is an electromagnetic thruster for spacecraft propulsion. These new and improved tools include a novel 2d code of the plasmawave interaction, and. Permanent magnet helicon source for ion propulsion ieee xplore. Nasa development of a superconducting helicon thruster. Numerical simulations of the helicon double layer thruster concept final report contractor cisas g.
Helicon doublelayer thruster the helicon doublelayer thruster is a prototype spacecraft propulsion engine. A prototype 15 cm diameter thruster, operated in lowmagnetic field mode, underwent initial thrust testing in 2010, however, a more complete testing method would be necessary to properly calculate the total thrust. Performance analysis of a mediumpower helicon thruster. A helicon double layer thruster is a type of plasma thruster that ejects high velocity ionized gas to provide thrust. The mfmi recorded a sharp increase in force when the plasma transitioned into a lowmagnetic field, highdensity mode. Direct thrust measurement of a permanent magnet helicon. Hdlt helicon double layer thruster physics acronymfinder. The whole structure of the thruster is attached to a pendulum immersed in vacuum for both the experiments. Christine charles from the australian national university in canberra is the. The superconducting helicon thruster presents the possibility for developing higher specific impulse at much greater efficiency, comparable to that of existing stateoftheare hall thrusters. Ion engine project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks.
Hdlt is defined as helicon double layer thruster physics somewhat frequently. Figure 4 shows the schematic diagrams of the permanent magnet helicon double layer thruster pmhdlt attached to a pendulum thrust balance. Helicon double layer thruster concept for very high power nep. The variable specific impulse magnetoplasma rocket vasimr is an electrothermal thruster under development for possible use in spacecraft propulsion. Like most ion propulsion devices, the hdlt is a low thrust, high specific impulse isp. A helicon double layer thruster hdlt is a type of plasma thruster, which ejects high velocity ionized gas to provide thrust to a spacecraft. Ion acceleration mechanisms of helicon thrusters thesis committee. Direct thrust measurements and modelling of a radiofrequency.
Perspectives, frontiers, and new horizons for plasmabased space. Xenon ion beam characterization in a helicon double layer. Hdlt stands for helicon double layer thruster physics. Performance degradation mechanism of a helicon plasma thruster. Oct 20, 2009 executive final presentation of the act ariadna study on helicon thrusters together with cisas, university of padova, italy. Lifetime assessment of the next ion thruster jonathan l. This study shall focus on the investigation of the novel helicon double layer. This concept was named the helicon double layer thruster hdlt. Helicon specific impulse as a function of rf power and magnetic field. For a plasma thruster, particularly one with a high specific impulse 2000 s, the physics of the discharge would also have to address the use of electron. Liebermanb space plasma, power, and propulsion group, research school of. Performance characterization of a helicon double layer thruster using direct thrust measurements. Direct thrust measurements of a permanent magnet helicon double layer thruster have been made using a pendulum thrust balance and a high sensitivity laser displacement sensor. Division of space plasma power and propulsion cpf anu.
Researchers create a new plasma thruster universe today. Helicon double layer thruster concept for high power nep missions. Space flight archives page 173 of 173 universe today. Helicontype radiofrequency plasma thrusters and magnetic.
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