Advanced Technology in Propulsion - LASER PROPULSION

c) Traveling wave

 

    A third type of plasma accelerator, sometimes called the magnetic-induction plasma motor, offers potential advantages over both the foregoing accelerators. It requires neither magnets nor electrodes, and relies on currents being induced in the plasma by a traveling magnetic wave. If the current in a conductor surrounding a tube containing plasma increases, the magnetic field strength in the plane of the conductor will increase. Then an electromotive force will be induced in any loop in this plane. If the conductor current increases rapidly enough, the induced electric field will establish substantial plasma current. The induced magnetic field and plasma current then interact to cause a body force normal to both, which tends to compress the plasma toward the axis of the tube and expel it axially. A traveling-wave accelerator makes use of a number of sequentially energized external conductors along the tube. As the switches are fired in turn, the magnetic field lines move axially along the tube, interacting with induced currents and imparting axial motion to the plasma.

               The inward radial force on the plasma this accelerator appears to offer an advantage in keeping the high temperature plasma away from the solid walls of the tube. The fact that no electrodes are needed is also an attractive feature

LASER PROPULSION

             

            Laser propulsion is a form of beam-powered propulsion where the energy source is a remote (usually ground -based) laser system and separate from the reaction mass. This form of propulsion differs from a conventional chemical rocket where both energy and reaction mass come from the solid or liquid propellants carried on board the vehicle. Types of laser propulsion are:

1) Ablative Laser Propulsion

Advanced Technology in Propulsion - INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

          Any technique used for transmitting a mass from one point to another in the aerospace environment is called as propulsion. From past till now, propulsion has been one of the most active fields of research for many scientists. The main reason for this is the need for speed, faster trip time, exploration and discovery.

          Some of the advanced technologies in rocket and spacecraft propulsion which are used and to be used in the near future are given below:

ELECTRIC PROPULSION

           Some fundamentally different concept was introduced for accelerating the propellant mass to overcomes the limitations of chemical thermodynamic expansion. Into this breech steps the family of electric propulsion possibilities.

          Historically, conceptually and pragmatically this field has tended to subdivide into three categories:

1)       Electro thermal propulsion

             In this process propellant is heated by some electrical process then expanded through a suitable nozzle. The arc jet is an electro thermal rocket because it uses electrical energy to heat a propellant. In this method, an annular arc is created in the chamber and the propellant is heated to high temperatures as it interacts with the arc. After the heating, the propellant is expanded through a conventional nozzle. This type of propulsion takes advantage of using hydrogen as a propellant, and, like nuclear rockets, experiences a similar performance gain in specific impulse (up to 1,200 seconds). Unlike nuclear rockets, arc jets are small, producing little more than several pounds of thrust.

2) Electro static propulsion

Indigenous cryogenic engine puts a 1,982-kg communication satellite in orbit

Indigenous cryogenic engine puts a 1,982-kg communication satellite in orbit

indian gslv g5 cryogenic engine

One of India’s most ambitious dreams became a reality on Sunday when its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5), powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine, effortlessly put the 1,982-kg GSAT-14 communication satellite into a perfect orbit after 17 minutes of flight.

The cryogenic engine built by the