glossary:plasma-propulsion

CONCEPT dossier

Plasma Propulsion

Glossary term: Plasma Propulsion

CONCEPT Propulsion

01 Executive_Summary

Spacecraft propulsion that uses accelerated plasma as a reaction mass. Includes Hall thrusters, ion thrusters, and FRC-based concepts like the MSNW ELF thruster.

02 Definition

Spacecraft propulsion that uses accelerated plasma as a reaction mass. Includes Hall thrusters, ion thrusters, and FRC-based concepts like the MSNW ELF thruster.

Related terms: ELF Thruster FRC Specific Impulse

03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence

Overview

Spacecraft propulsion that uses accelerated plasma as a reaction mass. Includes Hall thrusters, ion thrusters, and FRC-based concepts like the MSNW ELF thruster.

Role: Glossary term: Plasma Propulsion

Entity Type: Concept — Plasma Propulsion is a technical concept or theoretical framework.

Technical Definition

Spacecraft propulsion that uses accelerated plasma as a reaction mass. Includes Hall thrusters, ion thrusters, and FRC-based concepts like the MSNW ELF thruster.

Related Concepts: ELF Thruster, FRC, Specific Impulse

05b Related_Topics (2)

Field-Reversed Configuration

usa → russia → china → japan → israel →

Plasma Propulsion

usa → russia → china → japan →

07 Key_Findings

▸ Role: Glossary term: Plasma Propulsion
▸ Entity Type: Concept — Plasma Propulsion is a technical concept or theoretical framework.
▸ Related Concepts: ELF Thruster, FRC, Specific Impulse

09 Timeline_Mentions (6)

1965

Project ORION Terminated

Project ORION is terminated primarily for political reasons, ending early research into external pulsed plasma propulsion despite promising technical results.

historical-context

1995

Fission Plasma Propulsion Research

R.A. Gerwin, R.A. Nebel, and D.I. Poston present research on using spheromak configurations for magnetic control of gas-core fission plasma propulsion at the 31st AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference.

fusion-physics

1999

EPPP and GABRIEL Framework Proposed

NASA researchers propose External Pulsed Plasma Propulsion (EPPP) and the GABRIEL evolutionary framework as a viable path for human exploration beyond Mars.

fusion-physics

2009

MSNW ELF thruster and NASA FRC propulsion

MSNW LLC's FRC-based ELF thruster with NASA funding.

propulsion-physics

2009

M2P2 Propulsion Prospects Analyzed

Kelly A. Wallenstein evaluates Mini-Magnetospheric Plasma Propulsion (M2P2), a concept by Robert Winglee using plasma to inflate magnetic sails.

fusion-physics

2023

AARO FY2023 report: orbs are #1 UAP morphology with plasma signatures

25% of UAPs are orbs. No thermal exhaust. Intermittent radar/thermal. Consistent with plasma platforms.

defense-programs

View Full Timeline → View on Network Graph →

10 FAQ

What is Plasma Propulsion? ▾

Spacecraft propulsion that uses accelerated plasma as a reaction mass. Includes Hall thrusters, ion thrusters, and FRC-based concepts like the MSNW ELF thruster.

What role does Plasma Propulsion play in the research network? ▾

Plasma Propulsion is classified under the "Propulsion" category, serving as Glossary term: Plasma Propulsion. Spacecraft propulsion that uses accelerated plasma as a reaction mass. Includes Hall thrusters, ion thrusters, and FRC-based concepts like the MSNW ELF thruster.

What evidence supports the Plasma Propulsion assessment? ▾

The intelligence assessment for Plasma Propulsion is supported by 3 primary sources, 1 PDF document, and 1 citation. Key sources include "Solar Electric Propulsion - NASA", "Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion: Ion and Hall Thrusters - JPL/NASA", and "Electrodeless Lorentz Force Thruster (ELF) | UW Aeronautics & Astronautics". These documents provide the evidentiary basis for the analysis.

What is the technical definition of Plasma Propulsion? ▾

Spacecraft propulsion that uses accelerated plasma as a reaction mass. Includes Hall thrusters, ion thrusters, and FRC-based concepts like the MSNW ELF thruster. Related Concepts: ELF Thruster, FRC, Specific Impulse

What is the physics behind Plasma Propulsion? ▾

Spacecraft propulsion that uses accelerated plasma as a reaction mass. Includes Hall thrusters, ion thrusters, and FRC-based concepts like the MSNW ELF thruster. Role: Glossary term: Plasma Propulsion Entity Type: Concept — Plasma Propulsion is a technical concept or theoretical framework.

What primary source PDFs are available for Plasma Propulsion? ▾

1 PDF document is available: "Electric Propulsion 2nd edition". Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion Second Edition Dan M. Goebel, Ira Katz, and Ioannis G. Mikellides Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology JPL SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY...

What external sources document Plasma Propulsion? ▾

Plasma Propulsion is documented by 3 external sources, including 1 Government Reference, 1 Technical Publication, and 1 University Research Page. Notable references include "Solar Electric Propulsion - NASA", "Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion: Ion and Hall Thrusters - JPL/NASA", and "Electrodeless Lorentz Force Thruster (ELF) | UW Aeronautics & Astronautics".

What is the current status of Plasma Propulsion? ▾

Spacecraft propulsion that uses accelerated plasma as a reaction mass. Includes Hall thrusters, ion thrusters, and FRC-based concepts like the MSNW ELF thruster.

How does Plasma Propulsion relate to compact fusion research? ▾

Overview Spacecraft propulsion that uses accelerated plasma as a reaction mass. Includes Hall thrusters, ion thrusters, and FRC-based concepts like the MSNW ELF thruster. Role: Glossary term: Plasma Propulsion Entity Type: Concept — Plasma Propulsion is a technical concept or theoretical...

What documents should I read to learn more about Plasma Propulsion? ▾

To learn more about Plasma Propulsion, review the 3 primary sources, 1 PDF document, and related research finding linked in the source documents section of this dossier.