Gridded ion thrusters, also known as electrostatic ion thrusters or ion propulsion systems, are a type of electric propulsion used in spacecraft.
For gridded ion thrusters, the thrust is typically generated by the accelerated ions. The mass flow rate of the propellant is influenced by the power applied to the thruster, the efficiency of ionization and acceleration, and the specific design parameters of the thruster.
Gridded ion thrusters are known for achieving relatively high specific impulse values compared to traditional chemical rockets, making them suitable for long-duration space missions. The specific impulse for a specific gridded ion thruster design can be determined through performance testing, simulations, or theoretical models based on the design parameters.
It is defined as the thrust generated per unit of propellant expended and is expressed in seconds.
where,
- is the specific impulse of the rocket engine (in seconds, s)
- F is the Thrust Produced
- ṁ is the mass flow rate of propellant in KG/Sec
- g0 is the acceleration due to gravity