Plasma Accelerator Utilizing the Medium of Near-Earth Space for Orbital Transfer Vehicles
Source abstract
Abstract
The development of plasma accelerators for spacecraft propulsion that can capture space matter and energy shows great promise for spacecraft advancement. Such a technical approach offers a viable solution to the challenges associated with traditional rocket fuel. In the present paper, we explore the utilization of interplanetary matter as fuel for plasma thrusters on space vehicles, specifically for flights within the vicinity of Earth. Herein, solar radiation is considered a source of energy for the ionization and acceleration of particles captured from the space environment.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Plasma Diagnostics and Applications · Astro and Planetary Science · Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Institute for Laser and Plasma Technologies, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Kashirskoye Shosse 31, Moscow 115409, Russia
Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, Izhorskaya 13/19, Moscow 127412, Russia
Kepler Aerospace Ltd., 2908 Enterprise LN, Midland, TX 79706, USA
Institute for Electrophysics and Electric Power, Russian Academy of Sciences, Dvortsovaya Naberezhnaya, 18, St. Petersburg 191186, Russia
Funding
Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
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Show source-provided references
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