抄録
An overview of advanced space propulsion researches based on electromagnetic three-dimensional (3D) hybrid (ion particle and electron fluid) Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulation is presented. Comparison between numerical simulation and ground experiment is conducted for two advanced propulsion concepts, MPS (Magneto Plasma Sail) and LFR (Laser Fusion Rocket), which are expected to achieve large thrust to power ratio and high specific impulse. Numerically obtained thrust levels for both systems show good agreement with that from ground experiments within a factor of two. It is found that simulation including the neutral-ion collision effect shows good agreement of thrust between numerical simulation and laboratory experiment for MPS. For LFR, non-isotropy in velocity distribution of laser ablated plasma is suggested to be a reason of the difference between the simulation and experimental result. Those findings are useful to tune the 3D hybrid PIC code for feasibility study of advanced plasma propulsion.
