ARCJET ROCKET

ABSTRACT An arcjet rocket or arcjet thruster is a form of electrically powered spacecraft

propulsion, in which an electrical discharge is created in a flow of propellant . This imparts

additional energy to the propellant, so that one can extract more work out of each kilogram of

propellant, at the expense of increased power consumption and higher cost. Also,

the thrust levels available from typically used arcjet engines are very low compared with

chemical engines.

When the energy is available, arcjets are well suited to keeping stations in orbit and can

replace monopropellant rockets.

In Germany, researchers at the University of Stuttgart's Institute of Space Aviation Systems

have been looking into these challenges for years and have developed various hydrogen-

powered arcjet engines capable of power outputs from 1 to 100 kW. The heated hydrogen

reaches exit speeds of 16 kilometres per second (9.9 mi/s). An arcjet-propelled test satellite

by the name of Baden-Württemberg 1 (BW1) is scheduled to go to the Moon. Baden-

Württemberg 1 would use polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE propellant.

BINOD LAL .AROLL NO.20S7 AO