A Coaxial High Energy Thruster for Defensive Space Applications

In this program, Busek Co. Inc and Stanford University will develop and demonstrate a multi-mode high power plasma gun that can be used for both space propulsion and as a counter-measure against space debris or potentially hostile spacecraft. Investigations of this Coaxial High Energy (CHENG) thruster in the 1980's showed that it can damage a target. Because it is efficient over a wide range of specific impulse, it is also very attractive for propulsion. In this Phase I program, an existing straight-barrel CHENG gun and a new tapered gun that will be fabricated will both be tested for ion current distribution, plasma velocity and target damage. The use of an imposed poloidal field and multiple electrodes for plasma focusing will also be studied. The device will be modeled analytically and numerically, using existing simulation codes that can be modified for this purpose, to optimize the design of a dedicated dual-use system to be built and tested in Phase II.