Grid Ion Thrusters, also known as gridded ion thrusters or electrostatic ion thrusters, operate based on the principle of electrostatic acceleration of ions to generate thrust. The thrust force in a Gridded Ion Thruster can be described using the basic rocket thrust equation.
Grid Ion Thrusters are known for their high efficiency and are commonly used in various space missions, particularly for station-keeping and orbit raising maneuvers. Detailed analysis and optimization of these thrusters involve considerations of plasma physics, electric fields, and fluid dynamics within the thruster.
The thrust equation for a turbojet engine using control volume analysis is expressed as:
where,
- is the thrust force,
- ṁe is the mass flow rate of exhaust gases in kilograms per second (kg/s).
- is the Exhaust velocity at the nozzle exit in meters per second (m/s).
- ṁ0 is the mass flow rate of inlet gases in kilograms per second (kg/s).
- is the Exhaust velocity at the nozzle Inlet in meters per second (m/s).
- is the Pressure at the nozzle exit in pascals (Pa).
- is the Pressure at the nozzle inlet in pascals (Pa).
- is the Area of the nozzle exit in square meters (m²).