Abstract: To explore deeper expanses of space, rocket ships need rockets that can last twice as long as conventional rockets. Modern rockets use the electric field to attract and accelerate charged particles out and away from the combustion chamber. Space qualified components to increase the electric field are difficult to obtain. Various embodiments of the present subject matter use multiple phases of an input signal into the power supply to cause the output DC voltage signal to be substantially smooth. These smoother signals reduce the voltage requirements of the output diodes and capacitors thereby making them easier to obtain.

Abstract: To explore deeper expanses of space, rocket ships need rockets that can last twice as long as conventional rockets. Modern rockets use the electric field to attract and accelerate charged particles out and away from the combustion chamber. Space qualified components to increase the electric field are difficult to obtain. Various embodiments of the present subject matter use multiple phases of an input signal into the power supply to cause the output DC voltage signal to be substantially smooth. These smoother signals reduce the voltage requirements of the output diodes and capacitors thereby making them easier to obtain.

Abstract: Conventional power supplies that actify the grids of electric rockets use an output capacitor to smooth the output DC voltage signal. Large capacitors tend to store a great amount of energy. Arcing acts to transfer this energy to create a well or pit on an accelerator grid of the electric rockets that may eventually cause repeating arcing or perforation on the accelerator grid. Various embodiments of the present invention eliminate or reduce the need to use an output capacitor. Additionally, various embodiments of the present invention use multiple phases of an input signal into the power supply to cause the output DC voltage signal to be substantially smooth.

Abstract: Conventional power supplies that actify the grids of electric rockets use an output capacitor to smooth the output DC voltage signal. Large capacitors tend to store a great amount of energy. Arcing acts to transfer this energy to create a well or pit on an accelerator grid of the electric rockets that may eventually cause repeating arcing or perforation on the accelerator grid. Various embodiments of the present invention eliminate or reduce the need to use an output capacitor. Additionally, various embodiments of the present invention use multiple phases of an input signal into the power supply to cause the output DC voltage signal to be substantially smooth.

Abstract: A tandem Hall field plasma accelerator with closed electron drift includes a magnetic circuit having an inner pole and an outer pole and a magnetic field source and a discharge cavity disposed axially in tandem; the discharge cavity including an axially extending accelerator section defining an exit aperture between the inner and outer poles and a plenum section extending radially outwardly and upstream of the accelerator section and including an anode and a propellant injector. Also disclosed is the use of an electromagnetic coil which provides a magnetic field in a magnetic circuit and includes a multiple turn winding wound on an electrically conductive bobbin. The plasma discharge is connected electrically in series with the electromagnetic coil and a power source with a bobbin defining a single turn secondary coil winding on the magnetic circuit which reduces magnetic field fluctuations in the plasma discharge and reduces eddy currents and consequent heating of the magnetic circuit.