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Status of Pulsed Inductive Thruster ResearchThe TRW Pulsed Inductive Thruster (PIT) is an electromagnetic propulsion system that can provide high thrust efficiency over a wide range of specific impulse values. In its basic form, the PIT consists of a flat spiral coil covered by a thin dielectric plate. A pulsed gas injection nozzle distributes a thin layer of gas propellant across the plate surface at the same time that a pulsed high current discharge is sent through the coil. The rising current creates a time varying magnetic field, which in turn induces a strong azimuthal electric field above the coil. The electric field ionizes the gas propellant and generates an azimuthal current flow in the resulting plasma. The current in the plasma and the current in the coil flow in opposite directions, providing a mutual repulsion that rapidly blows the ionized propellant away from the plate to provide thrust. The thrust and specific impulse can be tailored by adjusting the discharge power, pulse repetition rate, and propellant mass flow, and there is minimal if any erosion due to the electrodeless nature of the discharge. Prior single-shot experiment,; performed with a Diameter diameter version of the PIT at TRW demonstrated specific impulse values between 2,000 seconds and 8,000 seconds, with thruster efficiencies of about 52% for ammonia. This paper outlines current and planned activities to transition the single shot device into a multiple repetition rate thruster capable of supporting NASA strategic enterprise missions.
Document ID
20020048589
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Hrbud, Ivana (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
LaPointe, Michael (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Vondra, Robert (TRW, Inc. Redondo Beach, CA United States)
Lovberg, Ralph (TRW, Inc. Redondo Beach, CA United States)
Dailey, C. Lee (RLD Associates, Inc.)
Schafer, Charles
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: Space Technologies Applications International Forum Conference
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Country: United States
Start Date: February 3, 2002
End Date: February 7, 2002
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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