The University of Southampton

Implementation of Ignition Unit for Liquid Pulsed Plasma Thrusters

Date:
2016-2020
Themes:
Applied Electromagnetism, Plasma and Space Science
Funding:
EPSRC

The development of Liquid Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (LPPTs) has been previously implemented using conventional PPT designs and sub-components. However, the change in propellant attracts a need to adapt existing sub-components to enhance the electrical and operational efficiency, as well as the specific impulse, lifetime and scaling possibilities of the technology. The novelty lies in redesigning the ignition and feeding systems, based on the electrowetting effect. It is predicted that ignition voltage can be minimised and the principal feeding system would function without the input of additional electrical energy, in comparison to previous designs.

Primary investigators

Secondary investigator

Associated research group

  • Electronics and Computer Science
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