| 摘要 |
<p>A plasma micro-thruster, including: an elongate and substantially non-conductive tube having a first end to receive a supply of propellant gas, and an open second end to act as an exhaust; first, second, and third electrodes extending circumferentially around the tube and being mutually spaced along a longitudinal axis of the tube, the third electrode being longitudinally interposed between the first and second electrodes; wherein the tube and the first, second and third electrodes are configured to generate a plasma from propellant gas flowing though the tube from the first end of the tube when the third electrode receives radio frequency power and the first and second electrodes are electrically grounded relative to the third electrode, such that the expansion of the plasma from the open end of the tube generates a corresponding thrust.</p> |
