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Published in:
2005 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
Numerics for Magnetoplasmadynamic Propulsion
Authors : Jörg Heiermann, Monika Auweter-Kurtz, Christian Sleziona
Published in: Analysis and Numerics for Conservation Laws
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
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A finite volume method has been developed in this work for solving the conservation equations of argon plasma flows in magnetoplasmadynamic self-field accelerators. These accelerators can be used for interplanetary spaceflight missions because of their high specific impulse and high thrust density.
Calculations show in agreement with the experiment that a primary reason for plasma instabilities at high current settings — which are limiting the operational envelope and the thruster lifetime — is the depletion of density and charge carriers in front of the anode because of the pinch effect.
The calculated thrust data agree well with experimental values, so that the newly developed method can be used for the design and optimization of new thrusters.