IONIC THRUSTERS
Do you know the majority of mass of a spacecraft at the time of launch is not of the satellite but of the propellent or the fuel which is used to lift it. What if we would be able to minimize this weight of fuel . Can we try for electricity ?
Electric propulsion systems are becoming more popular due to their efficiency and ability to minimise the quantity of fuel required. In this blog we will look at one of the promising technology in the field of electric thrusters. The ion thruster is one sort of electric propulsion technology. In this we will look at how ion thrusters function, as well as their advantages, disadvantages, and uses.
Let’s start with an ‘atom’.. Atoms are mainly made up of three subatomic particles: neutrons, protons, and electrons. Neutrons have a large mass but no electric charge, whereas protons are positive and electrons are negative. Different elements' atoms contain varying proportions of these particles, and an atom remains in neutral state until number of protons equals the number of electrons.
Under normal circumstances, ions that have distinct charges would come into contact with one other, attracting each other if their electric charges were of opposing signs and resulting in new molecules with differing characteristics. nevertheless, under some circumstances, such as high temperatures, intense electromagnetic fields, or the occurrence of microwaves, ions and electrons can remain separated, allowing them to operate as electrical conductors. This condition of matter is referred to as plasma.
Let's display a look at the parts of an ion thruster now. The initial component is a container with an open and closed end, with an inlet at the closed end for introducing a gas such as xenon. Under normal conditions, xenon is a noble gas that appears as individual atoms having a neutral charge. It does not respond quickly with other elements, making it simple to manage and store. More crucially, it is an element with a high atomic mass, which is critical for the propellant's action.
An electron gun, commonly referred to as a hollow cathode, is the following element. It is made out of a tube with a hole in the middle, which contains a material such as tungsten coated with barium oxide and surrounded by a resistor. The premise of its operation is that heating the resistance heats the material within, which begins to emit electrons due to a process known as thermionic emission. A little amount of xenon is then fed into the tube from the back, creating the ideal condition for the formation of plasma. When electrons clash with xenon atoms, they lose one of their electrons and transform into positively charged xenon ions.
(Source: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/technology/Ion_Propulsion1.html )
We now have a plasma volume primarily made up of electrons, and because xenon is still being fed from the back, it will be driven out through the hole. A positively charged cover with a dual purpose is added to facilitate this process. It does two things: first, it directs electrons into the orifice, and second, it stops other particles from accessing the region where the plasma is formed and interfering with its operation.
Ion thrusters bring multiple kinds of advantages, including high specific impulse, high efficiency, and limited fuel consumption. They do, however, have significant limitations, such as limited thrust, making them unsuitable for high-thrust applications. Ion thrusters, on the other hand, are widely employed in a variety of applications, including satellite propulsion, interplanetary flight, and deep space research.
(source: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/glenn/2020/the-propulsion-we-re-supplying-it-s-electrifying)
To summarise, ion thrusters are an effective and dependable source of propulsion in space exploration. Understanding the concepts underlying plasma formation and the components of an ion thruster allows us to grasp its benefits, limits, and numerous uses in current space flight.
Credits: Vijaysingh Rajput (Team TechTuesday)
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_thruster
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/about/fs21grc.html
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