TESTING OF LOWER POWER ELECTODELESS PLASMA THRUSTER WITH RADIO FREQUENCY IONIZATION OF WORKING MEDIUM

A.I. Tsaglov, A.V. Loyan, N.N. Koshelev, O.P. Rubalov

Features of electodeless plasma thrusters development and results of engineering model testing are presented in article. Results of temperature measuring, plume parameters measuring and thrust measuring are described. Indicated that plume parameters are depended from pressure level in vacuum chamber, efficiency of thruster is depended from RF losses level and configuration of outer magnetic field. The analysis of obtain results, conclusions and future plans of further work are presented.

Key words: electrodeless plasma thruster, engineering model, helicon discharge, double electric layer, magnetic nozzle.