A Solid Expellant (SOLEX) Plasma Generator

SRS Technologies, Inc.

Huntsville, AL

A Solid Expellant (SOLEX) Plasma generator. Will serve as a plasma contactor with which the circuit for electrodynamic space tethers can be closed.

 

• Identification of solid expellant materials with benign vapor products that is suitable for space applications.
• Demonstration of an emission current capacity ranging from the order of milliamps to tens of amps.

• Potential applications include existing commercial processes that require a plasma where the SOLEX would improve efficiency and/or cost effectiveness through its simplicity and improved durability, e.g.,
• Plasma generator for commercial vacuum deposition applications.
• Plasma generator for plasma furnace, etc.
• A mature prototype design is required before any commercial venture can be made. This is planned following a successful Phase II R&D effort.

• Potential applications include use as a plasma generator for: electrodynamic space tethers, spacecraft charging control, or ion or plasma propulsion.
• Plasma propulsion has been used on deep-space missions and plasma contactors were used on the TSS-1 and TSS-1R tether missions.

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