Abstract
The performance of an electrodeless thruster operating on water-vapor propellant is evaluated and compared to noble-gas propellants. Cross-section data for electron interactions in water vapor are employed to predict the ionization cost as a function of electron temperature. The ionization cost model incorporates energy-loss mechanisms such as dissociation and excitation of rotational modes that are not present for noble-gas propellants. The ionization cost for water is compared to that of traditional noble-gas propellants, such as argon. The characteristics of a water-vapor plasma sheath are discussed and incorporated, along with the ionization cost, into an overall thrust efficiency analysis. Results indicate that comparable performance can be attained for sufficiently high electron temperatures.
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