Throughout most of the twentieth century, electric propulsion wasconsidered the technology of the future. Now, the future hasarrived.
This important new book explains the fundamentals of electricpropulsion for spacecraft and describes in detail the physics andcharacteristics of the two major electric thrusters in use today,ion and Hall thrusters. The authors provide an introduction toplasma physics in order to allow readers to understand the modelsand derivations used in determining electric thruster performance.They then go on to present detailed explanations of:
* Thruster principles
* Ion thruster plasma generators and accelerator grids
* Hollow cathodes
* Hall thrusters
* Ion and Hall thruster plumes
* Flight ion and Hall thrusters
Based largely on research and development performed at the JetPropulsion Laboratory (JPL) and complemented with scores of tables,figures, homework problems, and references, Fundamentals ofElectric Propulsion: Ion and Hall Thrusters is an indispensabletextbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students who arepreparing to enter the aerospace industry. It also serves as anequally valuable resource for professional engineers already atwork in the field.