New real world ion thruster

[fredofmars]

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM6HSVLWFE_index_0.html

This looks like a nice step up from previous ion drives.

 

[aramis]

Funny, but in another thread I suggested that Ion thrust is going to get more efficient, and one of the "Tech heads" said it was really unlikely. I love being right... thanks for the link, Joseph!

 

[Anthony]

Originally posted by Aramis:
Funny, but in another thread I suggested that Ion thrust is going to get more efficient, and one of the "Tech heads" said it was really unlikely.

I don't know the thread you're referring to, but on reading the article, (a) this isn't an ion drive, and (b) it isn't more efficient anyway, it's higher thrust.

 

[aramis]

It is a low temp electromagnetic accelerator. It just uses a dual layer plasma rather than a dual layer grid.

As is an ion drive. Both accelerate ionized reaction mass. Plasma is almost always ionized. When it isn't, it's a high temperature phenomena (several thousand °K). This is an ion drive, of sorts, in the sense that
1) it accelerates ionized particles
2) it is a form of electric propulsion
3) the reaction mass is not chemically reacting
4) it operates on electromagnetic acceleration principles.

close enough for me, especially since it is slated for the same roles.

Efficiency has several measures. Higher thrust:weight is more efficient, even if fuel ISP is similar. Higher ISP at same thrust:weight is also more efficient. Higher thrust per Watt also would be more efficient.

it just depends on which item you are seeking to be efficient.

 

[Anthony]

Originally posted by Aramis:
It is a low temp electromagnetic accelerator. It just uses a dual layer plasma rather than a dual layer grid.

As is an ion drive. Both accelerate ionized reaction mass. Plasma is almost always ionized. When it isn't, it's a high temperature phenomena (several thousand °K). This is an ion drive, of sorts, in the sense that
1) it accelerates ionized particles
2) it is a form of electric propulsion
3) the reaction mass is not chemically reacting
4) it operates on electromagnetic acceleration principles.

All electric drives follow rules 2, 3, and 4, and most of them follow rule 1.

Efficiency has several measures. Higher thrust:weight is more efficient, even if fuel ISP is similar.

That's not a standard use of efficiency -- usually 'more efficient' means either reduced power consumption or reduced fuel consumption. The only thing the article says about efficiency is 'similar fuel efficiency'.

 

[Uncle Bob]

What he said.

This is still nowhere near the efficiency of a MHD drive like VASIMR, by any measure of efficiency.