New Thruster Generates Ultra-High Velocities

A new type of rocket thruster was developed at the DOE’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) that could take humankind to Mars and beyond. It applies magnetic fields to cause particles of plasma – electrically charged gas also known as the fourth state of matter – to shoot out the back of a rocket and because of the conservation of momentum, propel the craft forward.
Current plasma thrusters that use electric fields to propel the particles can only produce low specific impulse, or speed. The new plasma thruster concept can generate exhaust with velocities of hundreds of kilometers per second – ten times faster than those of other thrusters. That faster velocity at the beginning of a spacecraft’s journey could bring the outer planets within reach of astronauts.
While other thrusters require heavy gas made of atoms like xenon, in this concept, any type of gas may be used. Scientists might prefer light gas in some cases because the smaller atoms can get moving more quickly.
Top Stories
INSIDERElectronics & Computers
MIT Report Finds US Lead in Advanced Computing is Almost Gone - Mobility...
INSIDERResearch Lab
University of Rochester Lab Creates New 'Reddmatter' Superconductivity Material...
INSIDERElectronics & Computers
Airbus Starts Testing Autonomous Landing, Taxi Assistance on A350 DragonFly...
INSIDERWeapons Systems
Boeing to Develop Two New E-7 Variants for US Air Force - Mobility Engineering...
INSIDERWeapons Systems
PAC-3 Missile Successfully Intercepts Cruise Missile Target - Mobility...
INSIDEREnergy
Air Force Pioneers the Future of Synthetic Jet Fuel - Mobility Engineering...
Webcasts
Medical
How to Maximize the Benefits of Medical Device Onshoring
Software
Leveraging Machine Learning in CAE to Reduce Prototype Simulation...
Automotive
Driver-Monitoring: A New Era for Advancements in Sensor Technology
Manufacturing & Prototyping
Tailoring Additive Manufacturing to Your Needs: Strategies for...
Automotive
How to Achieve Seamless Deployment of Level 3 Virtual ECUs for...