Some Problems in Ionic Propulsion Systems
- 1 April 1959
- journal article
- Published by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in IRE Transactions on Military Electronics
- Vol. MIL-3 (2), 27-33
- https://doi.org/10.1109/iret-mil.1959.5008130
Abstract
Some of the problems and applications of ionic propulsion systems are discussed. Three different systems' optimization criteria are considered: the maximization of the initial acceleration of a space vehicle; the minimization of the total-mass-to-payload-mass ratio; and the minimization of the propellant mass required to refuel the vehicle. The production, acceleration, and neutralization of beams of singly-ionized cesium ions is also discussed in limited detail. A hot tungsten contact-catalyst type of ion source is assumed and some experimental results with such a source are reviewed. Finally, a simplified treatment of the space charge neutralization of a positive ion beam in the region behind the space vehicle is presented. In this treatment, the positive-ion beam is replaced by an infinitely-long cylinder of uniformly-distributed positive charge. Electrons are emitted from an annular filament encircling the perimeter of the beam. It is shown that this approximation leads to radial oscillations of the electrons through the positive column.Keywords
This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
- Ionization on Platinum and Tungsten Surfaces. I. The Alkali MetalsThe Journal of Chemical Physics, 1956
- Vapor Pressure of Caesium by the Positive Ion MethodPhysical Review B, 1937
- The Surface Ionization of Potassium on TungstenPhysical Review B, 1935