Microwave Electrothermal Thruster Optimization via Simulations
Open Access
Author:
Van Hulten, Alexander
Area of Honors:
Aerospace Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Sven G Bilén, Thesis Supervisor Xin Ning, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Microwave Electrothermal Thruster MET Space Propulsion Plasma Electric Propulsion COMSOL Multiphysics
Abstract:
This thesis presents the setup and simulation results for a 2.45-GHz Microwave Electrothermal Thruster (MET) for the purpose of understanding some design possibilities for the thruster. The simulations in this thesis were performed using COMSOL Multiphysics. These simulations were created to study the effects of different operational conditions for the MET. The electric field intensity in the MET cavity, the electron density in the cavity, and the power loss during operation are strong indicators of MET performance. These three characteristics were used to find desirable operational conditions for the MET. The propellant injectors were modeled to be near the midplate in this thesis, but the results obtained from this injector placement are not promising. Hence, the injectors should be maintained at their nominal location near the nozzle.
