The ions, now forming a high-speed plasma beam, push the spacecraft forward," explained the researchers ... but their movement and energy play an important role in determining the macroscopic dynamics ...

Electric propulsion (EP) thrusters are expected ... This requires a deep understanding of plasma plume behavior to mitigate potential risks. “For missions that could last years, EP thrusters ...

Electric (plasma) propulsion devices have been used for applications such as station-keeping and ... Recent experimental data provides strong evidence for the existence of a plasma instability, the ...

This makes the facility one of the largest of its kind in Europe. The facility is used to test electric space propulsion systems. Depending on the test programme, it is possible to measure the thrust ...

Hollow cathode thrusters are a type of electric propulsion ... magnetic fields on plasma behavior have revealed the presence of helical modes in the cathode plume, which can influence the overall ...

Hall thrusters are a type of electric propulsion system that utilize plasma to generate thrust. They are increasingly being considered for various space missions due to their efficiency and ...

By studying these microscopic interactions, Cui aims to better understand how the plume of plasma emitted interacts with the spacecraft itself. Electric propulsion works by ionizing a neutral gas ...

Ubiquitous in the field of electric propulsion, thermionic hollow cathodes are electron sources which utilize ... Therefore, this research aims to derive a more complete understanding of the ...