3. Electric thrusters utilizing metal plasma

Автори: Spirin Ye. V., Nadtoka V. M.

Organization: Yangel Yuzhnoye State Design Office, Dnipro, Ukraine

Page: Kosm. teh. Raket. vooruž. 2025 (2); 24-34

Language: Ukrainian

Annotation: The article provides an overview of modern research on the problem of creating electric jet engines based on metal plasma. Electric jet engines have long attracted the attention of specialists working in the fi eld of creating space technology. One type of electric rocket engines is electric engines that use a metal plasma fl ow. A metal plasma rocket engine (Vacuum Arc Thruster, VAT) is a new class of electric propulsion systems in which metal converted into a plasma state using an electric discharge and an accelerated metal plasma fl ow creates jet thrust. A metal plasma engine does not require gas or liquid fuel, neutralizers, heaters, highvoltage electronics, or strong electric or magnetic fi elds to operate. Metal plasma engines use metal to create a plasma fl ow, so their design is very compact. Since the cathode material is in the solid phase, there can be no fuel loss due to leakage. No gases are required, so such engines do not threaten the spacecraft with a possible explosion of the pressurized container. In addition, there are no valves and fl ow sensors (components that increase the complexity and cost of the system). The purpose of this work is to analyze the level of development of vacuum-arc jet engines on metal plasma based on the generalization and systematization of publications. Particular attention paid to the analysis of works that consider metal plasma engines with a thrust level of the order of millinewtons. Based on the analysis, conclusions drawn regarding the relevance of the development of vacuum-arc jet engines. In March 2024, a satellite successfully launched in the USA, in which the Xantus X4 vacuum-arc jet engine developed by Alameda Applied Sciences Co. and Benchmark Space Systems was installed. Currently, leading companies in the space industry continue to improve the technology of metal plasma rocket engines with an emphasis on reliability, increased thrust and service life. The article intended for specialists in the fi eld of rocket engine engineering.

Key words: electric thruster, vacuumarc discharge, metal plasma

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