Publication date: 13 April 2026
Source: Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 935
Author(s): Yaswanth P. Sai, Kumar Sah Supen
Ionic plasma thruster is advanced propulsion technology utilized for space applications. Scientific research remains focused on the development of efficient and effective thruster technologies for space exploration. The technology of ionic plasma thruster is notable for its ability to achieve high specific impulse and fuel efficiency. This study outlines our study on plasma and endeavours to enhance Ionic Plasma Thruster through the utilization of innovative methodologies and materials. The experimental setup utilizes electrodes energized by a 1000 kV power module and Lithium-Ion batteries. The design of electrodes is to enhance the concentration of flow electrons for a significant ionization, after ionization the discharged particles (ions) causes the thruster to the system. In addition to ameliorate the thruster, neodymium magnets are strategically positioned, and to expedite the movement of ions and improve the ionization processes. This paper arrays our study and development on plasma ionization and ionic plasma thruster thorough examination of our experimental configuration, methods, and initial findings. Our ongoing research and development efforts aim to expand the technology of ionic plasma thruster, with the goal of enabling more efficient, cost effective and sustainable space exploration missions.
[1] Aanesland, A., Meige, A., & Chabert, P. (2009, April). Electric propulsion using ion-ion plasmas. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 162, No. 1, p.012009). IOP Publishing.
[2] Fearn, D. G. (2001, October). Ion propulsion thrust vectoring requirements and techniques. In International Electric Propulsion Conference, Pasadena (pp.1-115).
[3] Herman, D., & Gallimore, A. (2004). Discharge chamber plasma structure of a 30 cm NSTAR-type ion engine. In 40th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit (p.3794).
DOI: 10.2514/6.2004-3794
[4] Koroteev, A. S., Lovtsov, A. S., Muravlev, V. A., Selivanov, M. Y., & Shagayda, A. A. (2017). Development of ion propulsion IT-500. The European Physical Journal D, 71, 1-10.
[5] Ira, K., Polk, J., Brophy, J., & Anderson, J. (2002, July). Numerical simulations of ion propulsion accelerator grid erosion. In 38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit (p.4261).
DOI: 10.2514/6.2002-4261
[6] Martinez, J. M., Rafalskyi, D., & Aanesland, A. (2019, September). Development and testing of the NPT30-I2 iodine ion propulsion. In 36th International electric propulsion conference (No. 15-20).
[7] Stueber, T. (2005). Ion propulsion discharge chamber simulation in three dimension. In 41st AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit (p.3688).
DOI: 10.2514/6.2005-3688
[8] Adam, J. C., Héron, A., & Laval, G. (2004). Study of stationary plasma propulsions using two-dimensional fully kinetic simulations. Physics of Plasmas, 11(1), 295-305
DOI: 10.1063/1.1632904
[9] Wirz, R. E. (2005). Discharge plasma processes of ring-cusp ion propulsions. California Institute of Technology.
[10] Dankongkakul, B., & Wirz, R. E. (2017). Miniature ion propulsion ring-cusp discharge performance and behavior. Journal of Applied Physics, 122(24).
DOI: 10.1063/1.4995638
[11] Aanesland, A., Meige, A., & Chabert, P. (2009, April). Electric propulsion using ion-ion plasmas. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 162, No. 1, p.012009). IOP Publishing.
[12] Keidar, M., Boyd, I. D., & Beilis, I. I. (2001). Plasma flow and plasma–wall transition in Hall propulsion channel. Physics of Plasmas, 8(12), 5315-5322.
DOI: 10.1063/1.1421370
[13] Taccogna, F., Longo, S., Capitelli, M., & Schneider, R. (2004). Stationary plasma propulsion simulation. Computer physics communications, 164(1-3), 160-170
[14] Katz, I., Mikellides, I., Wirz, R., Anderson, J., & Goebel, D. (2005, July). Ion propulsion life models. In 41st AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit (p.4256).
DOI: 10.2514/6.2005-4256
[15] https://robu.in/product/1000kv-step-up-power-module/
[16] Garnier, Y., Viel, V., Roussel, J. F., & Bernard, J. (1999). Low-energy xenon ion sputtering of ceramics investigated for stationary plasma thrusters. Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A: Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, 17(6), 3246-3254.
DOI: 10.1116/1.582050
[17] Nakagawa, Y., Koizumi, H., Naito, Y., & Komurasaki, K. (2020). Water and xenon ECR ion thruster—comparison in global model and experiment. Plasma Sources Science and Technology, 29(10), 105003.
[18] Charles, C., Boswell, R. W., & Lieberman, M. A. (2006). Xenon ion beam characterization in a helicon double layer thruster. Applied Physics Letters, 89(26).
DOI: 10.1063/1.2426881
[19] Diop, F., Gibert, T., & Bouchoule, A. (2019). Argon ionization improvement in a plasma thruster induced by few percent of xenon. Physics of Plasmas, 26(6).
DOI: 10.1063/1.5082904
[20] Kim, V. P., Zakharchenko, V. S., Merkur'ev, D. V., Smirnov, P. G., & Shilov, E. A. (2019). Influence of xenon and krypton flow rates through the acceleration channel of Morozov's stationary plasma thruster on the thrust efficiency. Plasma Physics Reports, 45, 11-20.
[21] Jarrige, J., Elias, P. Q., Cannat, F., & Packan, D. (2013, October). Performance comparison of an ECR plasma thruster using argon and xenon as propellant gas. In Proceedings of the 33rd International Electric Propulsion Conference (pp.2013-420).
DOI: 10.2514/6.2013-2628