Magnetically Enhanced Plasma Thruster: Optimization of a magnetic nozzle through numerical simulation

Electric propulsion devices in space have recently been recognized as an important technology for space transportation, since their specific impulse is generally larger than chemical propulsion devices. Recent advances in plasma-based propulsion systems have led to the development of electromagnetic Radio-Frequency (RF) plasma generation and acceleration systems through the use of magnetic nozzles that interact with charged plasma particles and accelerate them by converting their chaotic energy into kinetic energy useful to produce the required thrust. One of the pioneer company developing this new type of space propulsion is T4i Technology for Propulsion and Innovation s.p.a., with its cutting-edge project called E-REGULUS, among with this study has been performed. The study is focused on the numerical simulation of the plasma dynamics in the acceleration stage of a Magnetically Enhanced Plasma Thrusters (MEPT). We resort on a two-dimensional full particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation strategy to simulate the plume in the magnetic nozzle. The study has been performed with the open-source software Starfish. The method of optimization proposed in the following thesis work was been to add a second magnet in the cone of the nozzle in order to verify possible improvements related to the thrust and specific impulse provided by the engine. Although the addition of a second magnet increases the weight of the system, it is useful to observe the different case studies in which the positions of the magnets change and consequently the interaction between the magnetic field lines of the two magnets which influence the plasma flow behaviour.