Numerical Analysis on Characteristic Features of Solar Wind Flow around Magnetic Sail

Abstract

The magnetic sail utilizes the momentum of the solar wind (high-speed plasma flow) to produce the thrust by an applied magnetic field. Since the momentum flux from the sun is transformed into the thrust like a solar sail, no propellant is required and infinite Isp performance is available. Hence, it has a potential to reduce drastically the duration for a deep space mission because it can accelerate the spacecraft up to its theoretical limit, that is, the speed of solar wind. In the present study, its acceleration performance and scales of the phenomena in relation to the solar wind flow around the magnetic sail are roughly estimated. Based on the estimation, the interaction of the solar wind with the applied magnetic field is numerically simulated by the full particle (PIC) method. Fundamental features of the flow field and the induced electromagnetic field around the magnetic sail are clarified. Force acting upon the magnetic sail is also estimated by the considering the momentum change of the solar wind.