Physical fluid mechanics in MPD thrusters
Abstract
This report describes work done on three areas of MPD research: (1) a rigorous theoretical examination of the one dimensional flow of a self-field accelerated plasma, clarifying the roles of area change, sonic vs. magnetoacoustic chocking, and finite magnetic Reynolds number, (2) continued development of computational codes for axisymmetric MPD flows, and (3) results of a first test series on two channels designed to verify productions on the effects of area variation, showing ability to redistribute current by this means.
- Publication:
-
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Report
- Pub Date:
- September 1987
- Bibcode:
- 1987mit..reptV....M
- Keywords:
-
- Electric Propulsion;
- Fluid Mechanics;
- Magnetoplasmadynamics;
- Plasma Engines;
- Plasma Propulsion;
- Axisymmetric Flow;
- Channel Flow;
- Computation;
- Magnetic Variations;
- Magnetohydrodynamics;
- One Dimensional Flow;
- Plasmas (Physics);
- Reynolds Number;
- Rocket Engines;
- Plasma Physics