| Popis: |
The Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) engine concept is an RF-powered thruster scaleable to multi-megawatt power levels. The prototype at the Johnson Space Center consists of a helicon plasma source, an ion cyclotron resonant heating system, and a magnetic nozzle. Theoretical and computational predictions of the ion cyclotron heating system's effectiveness have been validated by the experimental results presented here. At modest power levels, the prototype thruster has demonstrated a continuously variable specific impulse spanning the range of 5,000 - 12,000 seconds. An upgrade to 50 kW thruster operation is in progress. |
