Project Summary
During the past decade, several research groups have begun to report unique spectroscopic results for mixed gas plasma systems in which one of the species present is hydrogen gas. In these experiments, researchers have reported excessive line broadening of H emission lines and peculiar non-Boltzmann population of excited hydrogen states. The hydrogen line broadening in these studies has been attributed to Doppler broadening associated with anomalously high random translational velocity of H atoms (i.e. fast hydrogen). The spectroscopic data suggest the presence of a newly identified regime of energetic mixed gas hydrogen plasma systems, called resonant transfer (RT) plasmas. The data also suggest that these RT plasma systems have unique characteristics that warrant further exploration for propulsion applications. Preliminary calculations suggest that a microwave RT plasma thruster could achieve performance several orders of magnitude greater than chemical rocket propulsion. Accordingly, the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) funded a study in April 2002 aimed at assessing the potential of RT plasmas for propulsion applications. The NIAC Phase I study included spectroscopic characterization of the RT plasma, development of RT plasma thruster hardware and preliminary test firing of two separate RT plasma thrusters.
"Several orders of magnitude greater than chemical rocket propulsion," would be a huge real world advance in propulsion technology. This microwave induced, hydrogen plasma approach is one of the more promising avenues in the development of novel ground-to-orbit and beyond propulsion systems being explored by NASA's newly announced 'Hundred Year Starship Program'. To read more, click here.