16. Plasma Problems in Electrical Propulsion

TLDR: In this article, the authors discuss the plasma problems in electrical propulsion, and present several excellent developments of the rationale for electrical propulsion are available, such as: electric propulsion is concerned with plasma of medium to heavy elements, fairly well ionized, and having electron and ion densities in the range of 10 11 -10 15 /cm 3.

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the plasma problems in electrical propulsion. The involvement of plasma physics and technology in the area of space propulsion has occurred because (1) with the exception of nuclear explosions, the electrical or electromagnetic acceleration of conducting matter is the only feasible way of bringing rocket exhausts to the very high velocities necessary for deep space flight with payloads of men and their support equipment; (2) Ionized gas, or plasma, is the most convenient conducting material to use, as by virtue of its usually low density, it can be brought to the requisite velocities without the expenditure of prohibitive increments of energy. Several excellent developments of the rationale for electrical propulsion are available. The field of electric propulsion is concerned with plasma of medium to heavy elements, fairly well ionized, and having electron and ion densities in the range of 10 11 -10 15 /cm 3 .