The Study on the Electrorocket Engine for the Future

A project of electrical rocket engine of the future, which operates on principle of a magnetoplasmadynamic engine, is being considered. New concept of the superconducting magnetic system, stipulating installation of external field winding, in which the current is directed parallel to longitudinal axis of the engine, makes it possible to increase the magnitude of the transversal magnetic field in working chamber, to decrease the rated current and to raise the engine efficiency. On the basis of equations that describe the process of converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, a mathematical model has been composed with whose help the characteristics of magnetoplasma engine having conventional design and the characteristics of the engine being developed in the project have been determined. Conducted research has shown that new design increases engine efficiency from 50% up to 91%. The project also contains a consideration of the new engine design with movable cathode and with cathode having forced cooling which helps to reduce carryover of cathode mass and to increase lifetime by several times. In conclusion, the results of calculations and constructive development of electrorocket engine for flight towards planet Jupiter, which creates tractive force of 250 N at 2500 kW power, are given.