Numerical Investigation of Magneto Plasma Sail Using Ideal Magnetohydrodynamic Equations

Abstract

The interaction between the solar wind and the magnetic field created around the spacecraft is investigated by utilizing two-dimensional ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations to estimate the thrust of Magneto Plasma Sail (MPS). In this propulsion system, the dynamic pressure of the solar wind is converted into the aerodynamic drag force to the magnetosphere created around the spacecraft through the MHD interaction. When the dynamic pressure of the solar wind is 0.753 [nPa] and the magnetic dipole moment is 5000 [Tm³], the estimated thrust of MPS is 1.45 [N], which is close to the theoretically estimated values.