Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters
R&D | NASA
Project Highlights
In collaboration with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, we're drafting an innovative R&D proposal aimed at significantly enhancing Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters’ (MPDT) operational life.
My role involves leading preliminary design efforts, in addition to manufacturing, development and testing planning for accurate budget and timeline estimates. I'm leveraging my expertise and innovative strategies to ensure our project not only wins the grant but also makes a significant contribution to space exploration.
This s a Applied Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster (AF-MPDT) leveraging electrostatic and electromagnetic forces to accelerate the ions thereby propel the spacecraft.
The cathode endures harsh conditions, eroding due to high temperatures and intense electron and ion bombardment.
The cathode temperature according to this simulation can get up to 5500°F [3000°C]
AF-MPDT during operation
Cathode before and after operation. This project's goal is to minimize failure modes and extend the cathode's lifecycle.
Credits:
Development of High Power Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters in BICE and Beihang University IEPC-2019-313 Presented at the 36th International Electric Propulsion Conference University of Vienna • Vienna, Austria September 15-20, 2019 Yong Li1 , Baojun Wang2 , Cheng Zhou3 , Ge Wang4 , Yuntian Cong5 , Beijing Institute of Control Engineering, Beijing, China Yibai Wang6 , Haibin Tang7 , Zhiyuan Chen8 , Peng Wu9 Beihang University, Beijing, China
Image on the top of this page credit: NASA
Homepage AF-MPD image credit: Prof. Georg Herdrich Universität Stuttgart