Comparison of the potentialities of various electric propulsion systems
- Paper ID
IAF-69-20
- author
- company
Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsantalt für Luft- und Raumfahrt
- country
Federal Republic of Germany
- year
1969
- abstract
In recent years quite a number of electric propulsion systems reached the development stage and a few propulsion types have already been flight tested. In particular the socalled electrostatic (or ion) engines are well in the process of industrial fabrication. However, this does not mean that the prospects of the other competing electric propulsion systems are diminished or even non-existent. On the contrary, in the long run or in view of the requirements of the future, certain propulsion systems, which are not seriously considered at the present time, may become important. It is therefore useful to discuss the relative merits of all presently available types, in order to indicate the trends of their development in the future.