Steady-State, Applied-Field, Rectangular MPD Thrusters

A steady state, applied field, rectangular magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster with permanent magnets has been developed. To evaluate the thrust performance, thrust and discharge voltage were measured varying propellant mass flow rate, discharge current and inter-electrode distance. Analyzing the result, it was declared that smaller mass flow rate enhances the thrust efficiency. To realize these conditions, argon/hydrogen mixture propellant was used. As a result, the thrust efficiency reaches to 27% at 9100 sec o f specific impulse was obtained.