Model of plasma thruster jet propagation in vacuum chamber during testing considering electric field influence

Аuthors

Toropov G. P., Khartov S. A.^*

Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), 4, Volokolamskoe shosse, Moscow, А-80, GSP-3, 125993, Russia

*e-mail: skhartov@ya.ru

Abstract

This paper contains the brief description of mathematical model of stationary plasma thruster jet propagation in vacuum chamber. The results of numerical analyses of gas distribution in the chamber during thruster operation, as well as calculation results of electric field potential generated by the thruster jet are presented. The estimation for distribution of charge exchange ions appearing in the vacuum chamber as the result of accelerated ions interaction with neutrals from chamber self-atmosphere is given.

Keywords:

electric propulsion, stationary plasma, plasma jet propagation, vacuum chamber, modeling