Electrostatic propulsion systems and methods

Details Electrostatic propulsion systems and methods Electrostatic propulsion systems and methods

1997-07-09

1999-09-07

Eldred, J. Woodrow

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

With fuel system details

60202, B64G 140

Patent

active

059474211

ABSTRACT:
Electrostatic propulsion systems for spacecraft include a plurality of electrostatic thrusters that are continuously coupled to power forms of a power supply system. Ionizable gas is fed to a selected one of the thrusters to selectively initiate the thrust of that electrostatic thruster. In other embodiments, heater power forms are coupled only to the selected thruster to reduce power consumption and increase cathode lifetime. The propulsion system has a reduced complexity and is especially suited for spacecraft in which only one thruster is ever fired at a given time.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4838021 (1989-06-01), Beattie
patent: 5269131 (1993-12-01), Brophy
patent: 5339623 (1994-08-01), Smith
patent: 5369953 (1994-12-01), Brophy
patent: 5689950 (1997-11-01), Smith
Morgan, Walter L., et al., Communications Satellite Handbook, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1989, pp. 651-653, 656, 657, 849, 850 and 867-869.
Sutton, George F., Rocket Propulsion Elements, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1992, pp. 580-590.

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