The Flux Density of Particles of the Working Fluid in the Peripheral Zones of a Jet of a Magnetoplasmodynamic Thruster with an External Magnetic Field

Abstract

The results of estimated calculations of fluxes of particles of the working fluid in peripheral regions from the axial direction of the jet of a magnetoplasmodynamic (MPD) thruster with an external magnetic field with a power of 100 kW as well as the results of measurements in laboratory conditions of reverse fluxes of Li particles from the thruster are presented. Return flow measurements were conducted using the quartz microbalance method. Calculations and measurements of particle fluxes indicate that their values do not exceed ~10^–8–10^–7 g cm^–2 s^–1.