Technology and Application Aspects of Applied Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Propulsion

TLDR

AF‑MPD thrusters operating at 5–100 kW are highly efficient, compact, and suitable for satellite orbit change and station‑keeping, yet they have not yet flown because of insufficient missions, power, and qualification, though the ISS now offers a platform for space‑flight testing. The paper aims to outline the application potential, performance, and technological status of AF‑MPD thrusters, identify remaining issues, and propose a space experiment to validate specific impulse and efficiency. The proposed experiment will operate the AF‑MPD thruster aboard the ISS to investigate its performance under true space‑flight conditions. Laboratory tests show that AF‑MPD engines cannot be realistically operated due to the extreme vacuum required to prevent unknown plume‑environment interactions, even at very low pressures.

Abstract

Currently available or realizable applied e eld magnetoplasmadynamic (AF‐MPD) thrusters operating in the power range 5‐100 kW appear to be excellently suited for orbit change and stationkeeping (drag compensation) of large satellites because of their high specie c impulse, sufe cient thrust, and compact geometry. They were developed to considerable maturity almost 20 years ago, but have not yet been used in space because of the lack of missions, appropriate power, and qualie cation. There is evidence that these engines cannot be operated realistically in the laboratory, mainly because of the high vacuum needed to exclude unknown environmental interaction with the plume, even at very low vacua. A space experiment is needed to provide proof of Isp and efe ciency. The International Space Station now provides the opportunity to qualify the engine in space. This paper describes the application potential, performance characteristics, and technological status of the AF‐MPD thruster, remaining application issues to be resolved, and a space experiment proposed to operate and investigate the engine under space-e ight conditions.