Development of small scale microwave discharge ion thruster of 3–5 cm size

Abstract

Development of microwave discharge ion thrusters of 3cm size thruster was conducted to confirm the design approach to small scale microwave discharge ion thrusters, and concept of 5cm size thruster improved in plasma ignition and sustention was reported. As we have already developed 10cm and 2cm size microwave discharge type ion thrusters, the development of 3cm one on the basis of the previous ones is carried out. It is sometimes difficult to generate plasma in the 5cm size microwave discharge ion thruster. Several magnetic configurations in the discharge chamber were calculated for the development of 5cm thruster with variable magnetic field.