New thruster design increases efficiency for future spaceflight
Tuesday, August 15, 2017 - 12:02
in Physics & Chemistry
Hall thrusters are used in earth-orbiting satellites and show promise to propel robotic spacecraft long distances, and the plasma ejected from the exhaust end of the thruster can deliver great speeds. Cylindrical Hall thrusters lend themselves to miniaturization and have a smaller surface-to-volume ratio that prevents erosion of the thruster channel.