New concept of metal ion thruster based on pulsed thermionic vacuum arc discharge

Abstract A new approach for the development of an innovative, low-cost, long lifespan, small size and versatile metal ion thruster (MIT), able to independently control thrust and specific impulse generation, is proposed. The concept of pulsed thermionic vacuum arc (PTVA) is used to generate and accelerate metal ions, without using acceleration grids. Operating under high or ultra-high vacuum conditions makes PTVA discharge suitable to be used in the vacuum of space. The proposed electric propulsion system can provide significant thrust and specific impulse levels due to an efficient metal ion acceleration process in the electric field of a double layer structure developed in PTVA plasma. For certain experimental conditions, the performance parameters values of this MIT–PTVA approach, and even exceed, those of the classical ion thrusters like xenon ion propulsion system and stationary plasma Hall thruster.