A HALL EFFECT PLASMA THRUSTER

摘要

In a Hall effect thruster (3A), especially for use in manoeuvring satellites (1A), a stream or plume of ions, used to produce the thrust, is deflected, by appropriate adjustment of a magnetic field, so as to steer the satellite or other vehicle. The channel (20), along which the ions are accelerated, is preferably flared outwardly at its open end so as to avoid erosion which would otherwise be caused by the deflection. The adjustment of the magnetic field is preferably achieved by dividing an outer magnetic pole, surrounding the channel (20), into separate sectors and winding individual electric coils (18, 19) around the sectors. Control of the current through these individual coils (18, 19) is used to make the appropriate adjustments of the magnetic field.