Numerical suite for cathodeless plasma thrusters. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Magarotto, M.; Di Fede, S.; Souhair, N.; Andrews, S.; Ponti, F.
• Is Part Of: Acta astronautica. Volume 197(2022)
• Page Start: 126
• Page End: 138
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Electric propulsion -- Helicon Plasma Thruster -- Plasma simulation -- Fluid simulation -- Particle-in-Cell; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Outer space -- Exploration -- Periodicals; Astronautics; Periodicals; 629.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.05.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-5765

Abstract

Abstract: This work focuses on a numerical suite targeted at cathodeless plasma thrusters. A Global Model is used for preliminary estimation of the propulsive performance. In the plasma source, the code 3D-VIRTUS solves self-consistently plasma transport with a fluid approach, including the electromagnetic wave propagation. Starfish and SPIS are used to handle the magnetic nozzle region via a fully kinetic Particle-in-Cell (PIC) model. Starfish solves the plasma dynamics in a two-dimensional axisymmetric domain and has been coupled to 3D-VIRTUS in order to estimate the propulsive performance. SPIS is a three-dimensional PIC code that has been used to simulate the mutual interactions between the satellite surfaces, the propulsion system plumes and the environmental plasma. Results have been benchmarked against thrust measurements performed on a low-power (50 W range) Helicon Plasma Thruster. Highlights: Cathodeless plasma thrusters for space propulsion application. Numerical suite for both preliminary and detailed simulation of plasma thrusters. Global model to preliminary estimate propulsive performance. Fluid approach to simulate plasma source, Particle-In-Cell for the magnetic nozzle. Experimental validation of the numerical results.