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Electrostatic Ion Thrusters ‐ Towards Predictive Modeling
Author(s) -
Kalentev O.,
Matyash K.,
Duras J.,
Lüskow K. F.,
Schneider R.,
Koch N.,
Schirra M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
contributions to plasma physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.531
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1521-3986
pISSN - 0863-1042
DOI - 10.1002/ctpp.201300038
Subject(s) - computer science , perspective (graphical) , set (abstract data type) , ion thruster , plasma , field (mathematics) , simulation , aerospace engineering , physics , engineering , propulsion , artificial intelligence , mathematics , quantum mechanics , pure mathematics , programming language
The development of electrostatic ion thrusters so far has mainly been based on empirical and qualitative knowhow, and on evolutionary iteration steps. This resulted in considerable effort regarding prototype design, construction and testing and therefore in significant development and qualification costs and high time demands. For future developments it is anticipated to implement simulation tools which allow for quantitative prediction of ion thruster performance, long‐term behavior and space craft interaction prior to hardware design and construction. Based on integrated numerical models combining self‐consistent kinetic plasma models with plasmawall interaction modules a new quality in the description of electrostatic thrusters can be reached. These open the perspective for predictive modeling in this field. This paper reviews the application of a set of predictive numerical modeling tools on an ion thruster model of the HEMP‐T (High Efficiency Multi‐stage Plasma Thruster) type patented by Thales Electron Devices GmbH. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)