PROJECT REPORT

IONIC PLASMA THRUSTERs

FIRST YEAR ENGINEERING
IN
ENGINEERING PHYSICS-1
By

MAHESUNI SIDDHARTH OMPRAKASH 221

MANE VEDANT NITIN 223
MANKAME DHRUV JAYPRAKASH 224
MARATHE MAHESH BHAUSAHEB 225

PROF. ASHISH A KOLI

SIGNATURE :-

DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES AND APPLIED

SCIENCES

A.P SHAH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,THANE

ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-24
 IONIC PLASMA THRUSTER

An ion thruster is a form of electric propulsion used for spacecraft propulsion. It creates
thrust by accelerating ions using electricity.
An ion thruster ionizes a neutral gas by extracting some electrons out of atoms, creating a
cloud of positive ions.
Ion thrusters are propulsion systems that work by expelling ions to generate thrust, These
ions are then accelerated through an electric field and expelled from the thruster at high
speeds, creating thrust in the opposite direction.
 INTRODUCTION

An ion engine is a type of rocket engine that employs a method called electric propulsion. It
ionizes and accelerates air or gas by electric discharge, and converts it into thrust, Ion
thrusters, which fall under the category of electric thrusters, are being studied with the
applications of using as orbital boosters or potentially long-distance missions to objects in the
solar system. These propulsion systems have advantages over the traditional chemical
rockets.

The principle of ionic wind propulsion with corona-generated charged particles was
discovered soon after the discovery of electricity with references dating to 1709 in a book
titled Physico-Mechanical Experiments on Various Subjects by Francis Hauksbee.
Net electric charges on conductors, including local charge distributions associated with
dipoles, resideentirely on their external surface (see Faraday cage), and tend to concentrate
more around sharp pointsand edges than on flat surfaces. This means that the electric field
generated by charges on a sharp conductive point is much stronger than the field generated by
the same charge residing on a large smooth spherical conductive shell. When this electric
field strength exceeds what is known as the corona discharge inception voltage (CIV)
gradient, it ionizes the air about the tip, and a small faint purple jet of plasma can be seen in
the dark on the conductive tip. Ionization of the nearby air molecules result in generation of
ionized air molecules having the same polarity as that of the charged tip. Subsequently, the
tip repels the like-charged ion cloud, and the ion cloud immediately expands due to the
repulsion between the ions themselves. This repulsion of ions creates an electric "wind" that
emanates from the tip, which is usually accompanied by a hissing noise due to the change in
air pressure at the tip. An opposite force acts on the tip that may recoil if not tight to ground
A vaneless ion wind generator performs the inverse function, using ambient wind to move
ions, which are collected yielding electrical energy.

A plasma propulsion engine is a type of electric propulsion that generates thrust from a quasi-
neutral plasma. This is in contrast with ion thruster engines, which generate thrust through
extracting an ion current from the plasma source, which is then accelerated to high velocities
using grids/anodes. These exist in many forms (see electric propulsion). However, in the
scientific literature, the term "plasma thruster" sometimes encompasses thrusters usually
designated as “ion engine”.

Due to the high voltage, the positively charged ions are pushed away from the thruster's
source and expelled at high velocities. The expulsion of these high-speed ions in one
direction generates thrust in the opposite direction, following Newton's third law of motion.
Ionic plasma thrust offers several advantages, including high efficiency and a significant
increase in specific impulse compared to traditional chemical rockets In summary, ionic
plasma thrust relies on the acceleration of ions through a high-voltage electric field to
produce thrust, and it is a promising technology for efficient and sustaitable thrust
production.

Ionic plasma thrust offers several advantages, including high efficiency and a significant
increase in specific impulse compared to traditional chemical rockets In summary, ionic
plasma thrust relies on the acceleration of ions through a high-voltage electric field to
produce thrust, and it is a promising technology for efficient and sustaitable thrust production.
 APPROACH
The approach for an ionic thruster project typically involves several key steps:

• Research and Design: Understand the principles of ion propulsion and review
existing designs. Define project goals, specifications, and constraints.

• Component Selection: Choose appropriate components such as electrodes,

power supplies, ionization chambers, and propellant reservoirs based on
project requirements and budget.

• Prototyping: Build prototypes to test different configurations and verify

performance. This may involve 3D printing, machining, or other fabrication
techniques.

• Testing and Optimization: Conduct thorough testing to evaluate thrust,

efficiency, and other performance metrics. Iterate on the design to optimize
performance and address any issues.

• Integration: Integrate the thruster into the intended spacecraft or platform,

considering factors such as size, weight, and power requirements.

• Validation: Perform rigorous testing under realistic conditions to validate the

thruster's performance and reliability.

• Documentation and Reporting: Document the design, testing procedures,

and results for future reference and potential publication.

• Iteration and Improvement: Continuously refine the design based on

feedback and new developments in ion propulsion technology.

Throughout the project, interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers,

physicists, and other experts may be necessary to ensure success. Additionally,
adherence to safety protocols and regulatory requirements is essential, especially when
working with high voltages and potentially hazardous materials.
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
RESULT:
Thrust Measurement: Utilizing the 400 kV step-up power module and the 3.7
V battery, thrust measurements were conducted under various voltage and current
settings.
• Voltage and Current Dependency: The relationship between the applied
voltage/current and the generated thrust was observed and recorded.
• Efficiency Analysis: The efficiency of the ionic thruster system was calculated
based on the input power and the thrust generated.
• Stability Testing: The stability and reliability of the thruster system were
evaluated over extended operation periods.

DISCUSSION:

1. Thrust Performance: Analyzing the thrust data obtained, it was observed that
increasing the voltage and current led to a proportional increase in thrust,
confirming the expected behavior of the ionic thruster.
2. Efficiency Considerations: The efficiency of the system was assessed, taking
into account factors such as power losses, heat dissipation, and electrical
conversion efficiency. Suggestions for optimizing efficiency were discussed.
3. Voltage Step-Up Module: The performance and limitations of the 400 kV
step-up power module were evaluated, considering factors such as voltage
regulation, heat dissipation, and compatibility with the ionic thruster.
4. Battery Integration: The suitability of the 3.7 V battery for powering the
thruster system was discussed, including considerations such as energy
density, discharge rate, and overall system runtime.
 CONCLUSION

After thorough analysis and experimentation, it is evident that the ionic thruster
project holds promise for various applications, particularly in the realm of space
propulsion. The project has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing ionic
propulsion for generating thrust, showcasing its potential for enhancing spacecraft
maneuverability and efficiency.
Recommendations for further research and development were proposed,
including exploring alternative power sources, optimizing thruster design for specific
applications, and enhancing overall system efficiency and performance.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Cost reduction strategies should be explored to make

ionic propulsion systems more economically viable for widespread adoption,
potentially through mass production and technological innovations.
• Safety Considerations: Comprehensive safety protocols and risk assessments
should be implemented to address any potential hazards associated with the
operation and deployment of ionic thrusters in space.
• In summary, the ionic thruster project presents a promising solution for
advancing space exploration and satellite missions. With continued research,
testing, and collaboration, the technology holds the potential to revolutionize
propulsion systems and pave the way for more efficient and
sustainable space travel.

This structure should provide a comprehensive overview of the results obtained

from your ionic thruster project and initiate meaningful discussions about the
performance, limitations, and potential improvements of the system.
 REFRENCES
The references for ionic plasma thrusters from various sources:-

Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_thruster
NASA jet propulsion laboratory, https://www.jpl.nasa.gov
NASA, https://www.nasa.gov
MIT news, https://news.mit.edu
Science Daily, https://www.sciencedaily.com