Assessment Avenues of Plasma Modelling Codes for MPD Thrusters
T.M. Manafu (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
Angelo Cervone – Mentor (TU Delft - Space Systems Egineering)
M. Collier-Wright – Graduation committee member (Neutron Star Systems)
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Abstract
The technology of focus in this paper, the applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster (AF-MPDT), was developed in the 1960s. However, little research has been conducted for this thruster. There is still the need for an accurate model describing the thruster's functioning, its thrust and the physical phenomenons inside.
This project was conducted together with the Neutron Star Systems start-up, who are developing the SUPREME AF-MPDT. This thruster incorporates new technologies making the older simulation codes less suitable. Thus, the need for the very expensive AF-MPDT laboratory testing is reduced, new plasma models are tested faster and the operation parameters are optimised. Therefore, the goal of this project was to identify the most suitable plasma simulation software for SUPREME that can be used in the Digital Twin of an AF-MPD thruster, supported by a set of requirements and a number of important parameters.