MHD Augmentation of Rocket Engines Using Beamed Energy

Details MHD Augmentation of Rocket Engines Using Beamed Energy MHD Augmentation of Rocket Engines Using Beamed Energy

May 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003aipc..664..280l&link_type=abstract

BEAMED ENERGY PROPULSION: First International Symposium on Beamed Energy Propulsion. AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 664, pp

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Spaceborne And Space Research Instruments, Apparatus, And Components, Laser Applications, Ion And Plasma Propulsion

Scientific paper

MHD technology and fundamental relations that pertain to accelerating a working fluid for propulsion of space vehicles are reviewed. Previous concepts on MHD propulsion have considered use of an on-board power supply to provide the electric power for the MHD thruster which is accompanied by an obvious weight penalty. In this study, an orbiting power station that beams microwave or laser power to the spacecraft is considered which eliminates this penalty making the thruster significantly more effective from the thrust-to-weight viewpoint. The objective of the study was to investigate augmenting a rocket motor to increase the ISP into the 2,500 seconds range using MHD acceleration. Mission scenarios are presented to parametrically compare the MHD augmented motor. Accelerator performance is calculated for an array of cases which vary the mass throughput, magnetic field strength and MHD interaction level. Performance improved with size, magnetic field strength and interaction level, although lower interaction levels can also produce attractive configurations. Accelerator efficiencies are typically 80-90%. The results display a large regime for improved performance in which the extent of the regime is critically dependent upon the weight of the power receiving equipment (rectenna). It is concluded that this system has potential when used with an orbiting power station that transmits power to the space vehicle by microwave radiation or laser beams. The most critical technology improvement needed is a reduced weight rectenna system but more development is also needed on the MHD accelerator, which is currently underway with NASA sponsorship.

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