Short-Pulse Characteristics of A Laser-Electric Hybrid Propulsion System

Abstract

To estimate the thrust performance of a short-pulse (ns-pulse) laser assisted pulsed plasma thruster (ns- LAPPT), impulse bit measurement and mass shot measurement were conducted, and results were compared to those of μs-LAPPTs. From the results, impulse bits and mass shots increased with charge energy. Significantly higher impulse bits were obtained with ns-LAPPTs than μs-LAPPTs. The maximum impulse bit and mass shot for a charge energy of 3.0 J were 25 μNs and 0.7 μg/pulse, respectively. From the results, the specific impulse and thrust efficiency were 3,800 s and 15 %, respectively.