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High Power Helicon Plasma Propulsion
- Small Business Information
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Woman-Owned: NoMinority-Owned: NoHUBZone-Owned: No
- Phase 2
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Fiscal Year: 2005Title: High Power Helicon Plasma PropulsionAgency: NASAContract: NNC05CB24CAward Amount: $599,901.00
Abstract:
A new thruster has been conceived and tested that is based on a high power helicon (HPH) plasma wave. In this new method of propulsion, an antenna generates and propagates a helicon wave in a plasma providing a non-thermal, wave-based mechanism for the subsequent acceleration of the plasma ions to high Mach number. The propellant is ionized and accelerated by the wave fields far from the thruster wall that results in an electrode-less plasma propulsion system. The device is small, light-weight, and structurally simple. It can operate with essentially any propellant, with efficiencies comparable to Hall and Ion thrusters. Phase I results indicate that HPH based thruster will make an efficient propulsion system with an estimated thrust of about 1 N for 50 kWe at an Isp of 2000 s in Argon, with higher Isp in Helium and Hydrogen. Higher thrust and Isp levels are expected with further optimization of its operational characteristics. The RF power system is also low mass and highly efficient. Operation with variable duty cycle allows for power delivery from 5 to 50 kW.Small Business Information at Submission:Research Institution Information:MSNW Inc
16436 SE 39th Place Bellevue, WA 98008EIN/Tax ID: 520582238DUNS: N/ANumber of Employees:Woman-Owned: NoMinority-Owned: NoHUBZone-Owned: NoUniversity of Washington
3935 University Way Box 355754
Seattle, WA 98015Contact: Carol ZuichesContact Phone: (206) 543-4043RI Type: Nonprofit college or university
Award Information
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Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
Branch: N/A |
Award ID: 72067 |
Program Year/Program: 2005 / STTR |
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Agency Tracking Number: 030068 |
Solicitation Year: N/A |
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A |
Solicitation Number: N/A |