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Revolutionary Ion Thruster To Be Tested On International Space Station (abc.net.au)
Three Australian researchers have developed "an ion thruster that could replace the current chemical-based rocket propulsion technology, which requires huge volumes of fuel to be loaded onto a spacecraft." Slashdot reader theweatherelectric shares this article from the ABC News:
An Australian-designed rocket propulsion system is heading to the International Space Station for a year-long experiment that ultimately could revolutionize space travel. The technology could be used to power a return trip to Mars without refuelling, and use recycled space junk for the fuel... It will be placed in a module outside the ISS, powered, as Dr Neumann describes, by an extension cord from the station. "What we'll be doing with our system is running it for as long as we can, hopefully for the entire year on the space station to measure how much force it's producing for how long."
In the early 2000s "it was basically a machine the size of a fist that spat ions from a very hot plasma ball through a magnetic nozzle at a very high velocity," and the researchers are now hoping to achieve the same effect by recycling the magnesium in space junk.
In the early 2000s "it was basically a machine the size of a fist that spat ions from a very hot plasma ball through a magnetic nozzle at a very high velocity," and the researchers are now hoping to achieve the same effect by recycling the magnesium in space junk.
Hi,
I'm Ian Whitchurch, the CEO of Neumann Space.
First of all, if you want more technical information about the Neumann Drive, there's an article in Applied Physics Letters. It may be available here
http://scitation.aip.org/conte...
If that isnt working, then you might know someone with an APL subscription, or it might be somewhere on the internets under "A centre-triggered magnesium fuelled cathodic arc thruster uses sublimation to deliver a record high specific impulse Patrick R. C. Neumann, Marcela Bilek and David R. McKenzie".
Secondly, it's not just the Neumann Drive that's going up to the Bartolomeo platform on the ISS. We're planning on taking a bunch of other peoples small projects, which deserve to go into space, but cant by themselves get a ride into orbit, or an easy method to get power, heating, cooling and communications once they are there. If you're interested, you might want a look at this fine Airbus DS press release.
https://airbusdefenceandspace....
There is also information available about the Facility for Australian Space Tests on our website, at http://neumannspace.com/fast/
Thirdly, Im happy to answer further questions people might have.
Finally, our poor, poor website. Also, the original post lacks a poll, which itself lacks a Cmdr Taco option. What the heck am I supposed to vote for ?
The problem with space junk is less about getting to it and more about getting to it safely. Everything in orbit is travelling a minimum of 17,000 mph. Have you seen what happens when car into a wall at only a 100 mph difference? Think two flimsy satellites colliding with a 400 mph difference. There will be hypersonic shards of metal everywhere.
Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
Is this a casual conversation, or are we talking, like *numbers* here ?
If it's the latter, the 1kW is going to be the biggest constraint - you're asking for a lot of power.
As far as costs go, I'd say we're looking at 'not especially ambitious' Kickstarter, especially if you're happy for it to not come back, and to cut that power demand down a little.