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We present a theoretical analysis of an innovative combination of a nuclear thermal and electromagnetic (EM) thruster. Specifically, we scrutinize the thermodynamics involved in integrating a nuclear thermal reactor with an expansion…
A new breakthrough in jet propulsion technology since the invention of the jet engine is achieved. The first critical tests for future air-breathing magneto-plasma propulsion systems have been successfully completed. In this regard, it is…
The inductively-heated plasma generator IPG6-B at Baylor University has been established and characterized in previous years for use as a flexible experimental research facility across multiple applications. The system uses a similar plasma…
The author researched this new idea - support of flight by any aerial vehicles at significant altitude solely by the magnetic field of the planet. It is shown that current technology allows humans to create a light propulsion (AB engine)…
We report on the experimental characterization of the RIT-2.5 radiofrequency ion thruster, complemented by particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations to establish correlations between plasma parameters and extracted beam properties. The thruster…
The residual atmospheric drag on satellites in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) has been recognized as a limiting factor for satellite lifetimes. This work focuses on one component of the drag, i.e., the ionospheric drag from charged particles,…
In this paper, the repeat-groundtrack orbit maintenance problem is addressed for spacecraft driven by electric propulsion. An adaptive solution is proposed, which combines an hysteresis controller and a recursive least squares filter. The…
The author applies, develops and researches mini-sized Micro- AB Thermonuclear Reactors for space propulsion and space power systems. These small engines directly convert the high speed charged particles produced in the thermonuclear…
This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters (MPDT), examining their working principles, performance characteristics, and potential applications in space propulsion. The study focuses on both self-field and…
In Coulomb drag propulsion, a long high voltage tether or system of tethers gathers momentum from a natural plasma stream such as solar wind or ionospheric plasma ram flow. A positively polarised tether in the solar wind can be used for…
Water has been identified as a critical resource both to sustain human-life but also for use in propulsion, attitude-control, power, thermal and radiation pro-tection systems. Water may be obtained off-world through In-Situ Resource…
This research work is part of a PhD project aiming to design a new helicon plasma thruster for cargo space missions, within a collaboration between the School of Aerospace Engineering of La Sapienza University and the ENEA Frascati research…
Solid-state electro-aerodynamic propulsion systems are devices that utilize atmospheric pressure corona discharge and have been actively researched in recent years as a means of achieving silent drones. However, these systems contain…
Electrospray thrusters are one important type of micropropulsion systems being developed for next-generation space missions, yet the primary challenge to their operational lifespan is propellant overspray resulting from wide plume angles…
Hall-effect thrusters (HETs) operated with xenon are one of the most commonly used electric propulsion technologies for a wide range of space missions, including drag compensation in low Earth orbit, station-keeping, and orbital insertion,…
Over the history of planetary exploration, atmospheric entry vehicles have been used to deliver probes and landers to Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Titan. While the entry vehicles are tools for furthering scientific exploration, by delivering…
Today\'s world of space\'s primary concern is the uncontrolled growth of space debris and its probability of collision with spacecraft, particularly in the low earth orbit (LEO) regions. This paper is aimed to design an optimized…
We report here on initial studies of a pulsed hydromagnetic plasma gun that can operate in either a pre-filled or a gas-puff mode on demand. These modes enable agile and responsive performance through tunable thrust and specific impulse.…
This study presents the design and control of a Plasma-propelled Ultra-silence Blimp (PUB), a novel aerial robot employing plasma vector propulsion for ultra-quiet flight without mechanical propellers. The system utilizes a helium-lift…
A versatile table-top dusty plasma experimental (DPEx) device to study flow induced excitations of linear and nonlinear waves/structures in a complex plasma is presented. In this {$\Pi$}-shaped apparatus a DC glow discharge plasma is…