Abstract
The results of studies on the use of solid-state infrared lasers in combination with special targets for obtaining primary electrons in ionization chambers of plasma-ion thrusters are presented. Such thrusters being equipped with free molecular air intakes for using the surrounding atmosphere as a propellant for air-breathing electric thrusters, which are highly efficient for long-term maintenance of spacecraft in ultra-low orbits, providing significant advantages in Earth remote sensing and telecommunications. It is shown that the method of electron emission proposed can be an alternative to the current-heated cathodes used today, significantly increasing their lifetime.
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Funding
This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project no. 20-69-46034, for Moscow State University.
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Translated by E. Chernokozhin
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Chernyshev, S.L., Loktionov, E.Y., Sagalakov, A.E. et al. Prospects of Infrared Lasers in Air-Breathing Electric Thrusters. Dokl. Phys. 66, 307–310 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028335821110045
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028335821110045