In a normal rocket engine (chemical fuel engine), the speed of exhaust gases does not exceed 4-5 kilometers per second, while this speed range in an electric rocket engine is greater.
Researchers at the Institute for Space Research at the Technion have developed a revolutionary electric rocket engine for small satellites called "CAMILA" (Co-Axial Magneto-Isolated Longitudinal Anode) which belongs to the type of engines called "Hall Thrusters" whose use in satellites is increasing. The Technion registered a patent for the development, which has already been presented at two conferences around the world and aroused great interest. The principle of operation of a Hall engine is based on the ionization (removal of electrons from the atoms) of the fuel (Xenon gas) and its electrical acceleration in a magnetic field towards the exhaust.
At the Asher Institute for Space Research at the Technion, a special laboratory for electric propulsion was established, which deals with the development of these engines. Dr. Alexander Kafulkin from the institute developed the innovative engine. He was a student of Professor Alexey Merozov, from the Institute of Nuclear Energy in Moscow, who was one of the fathers of the electric rocket engine developers in the world. Dr. Kafulkin previously managed the "Physics and Engineering Laboratory" in Dnipropetrovsk and served as a professor in the Faculty of Aeronautics and Space Engineering at the University of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. He immigrated to Israel in 1999 and joined the Technion in 2000 as a senior researcher.
Technion researchers explain that in a normal rocket engine (chemical fuel engine), the speed of gas emissions does not exceed 4-5 kilometers per second, while this speed range in an electric rocket engine is greater. This speed is determined depending on the satellite mission when there is an "optimal gas emission speed". Today, the optimal speed of an electric rocket engine in most satellites is about 20 kilometers per second. The high speed obtained with these engines makes it possible to reduce the amount of fuel required to perform space missions and therefore the mass of the satellite, and ultimately to reduce launch costs. Most of the satellites launched today belong to the category of small satellites that require small electric rocket motors with low power to operate them, such as the one developed at the Technion.
The Technion engine has three special changes, which do not exist in other Hall engines:
- The configuration of the anode has changed substantially. If in a normal Hall engine the working surface of the anode is vertical to the engine axis, in the "Kamila" it is horizontal.
- The supply of fuel (Xenon gas) is not carried out directly through the anode but through a special tool called a "gas distributor" isolated from the anode contact.
- In Hall engines that exist today, the magnetic field is closer to a radial shape (vertical to the engine axis), while in "Kamila" the magnetic field has a more complex configuration. In the area of ion acceleration (the exit from the engine) the magnetic field is radial and on the other side, closer to the anode (ionization area) - the magnetic field is parallel to the engine axis.
These fundamental and essential changes prevent the loss of ions to the engine walls, thus increasing the efficiency of the engine. Because of the changes introduced in the Hall engine by the Technion researchers, the fuel consumption is small and this makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the utilization of the Hall engines in the satellites. The Hall engine developed at the Technion is primarily intended for the Israeli space industry.
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Following on from 2:
Thanks for correcting the article.
Really, the invention is beautiful. Does it also have a use for 'normal' missiles (for example - very fast TKA) - not only for lifting satellites?
If so - the importance of the invention is even greater than described in the article on its face.
So now you have another reason to be wary of clutch balls but I guess there were already enough reasons before.
Take care of yourself!
Michael, thank you very much for the answer.
Now I finally understand why when you release an inflated balloon it goes wild in the room.
It takes time for us golanchiks to absorb, but after it's absorbed only a ball of clutch can get it out of our heads.
Coco:
its obvious.
Newton's laws have nothing to do with friction.
The law of action and reaction (which in this case is nothing but another facet of the law of conservation of momentum) works without any relation to friction.
If you throw something back then so that the common center of gravity of you and that something remains in the same position - you yourself are thrown forward.
In Golani you must have come across the recoil of the rifle - it's exactly the same thing and it's not related to friction either.
Something I don't understand about rocket propulsion in space.
If there is almost no friction in space, how does Newton's third law hold there and enable the rocket's thrust?
The exact same story is told about Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Watson.
I received an email...
Professor Einstein and his wife went camping for a few days. They built a tent and sat down to eat.
After a hearty meal and a good bottle of wine, they wished each other good night and retired to sleep.
A few hours later, Ms. Einstein wakes up and elbows the professor.
-"Dear husband, look at the sky and tell me, what do you see?"
-"Millions of stars", the respected professor answered her.
-"And what does that mean to you?",
Einstein thought for a moment and in an effort to impress his wife said:
"Astronomically, this means that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.
Chronologically, I guess we are approaching 3.15:XNUMX after midnight,
From a theological point of view, I see that God is omnipotent and we are tiny creatures of no importance,
Meteorologically, I think that tomorrow is destined for us a beautiful day and wonderful sun!
And what does that mean to you, my dear wife?"
She waited and said:
-"Dear husband, every day you become more and more of an idiot - they stole our tent!
Do not understand
An electron is removed to turn the gas into positive ions and then they are moved along magnets to give them acceleration when they are ejected from the engine (reminiscent of accelerators).
In any case, it sounds like a process in which a lot of energy is invested, I imagine from solar collectors. But what do you do in deep space? Or because of this feature it's really only good for satellites.
What about the applicability?
There is a situation where the cave is heavy and the thrust is very low, so it is possible that the business will only be practical in another 20 years...
Sounds like science fiction.."The configuration of the anode has changed substantially. If in a normal Hall engine the working surface of the anode is vertical to the engine axis, in "Kamila" it is horizontal." Well done.
The Technion engine has three special changes, which do not exist in other Hall engines:
1. The configuration of the anode has changed substantially. If in a normal Hall engine the working surface of the anode is vertical to the engine axis, in "Kamila" it is horizontal.
2. The supply of fuel (Xenon gas) is not carried out directly through the anode but through a special tool called a "gas distributor" isolated from the anode contact.
3. In Hall engines that exist today, the magnetic field is closer to a radial shape (vertical to the engine axis), while in "Kamila" the magnetic field has a more complex configuration. In the area of ion acceleration (the exit from the engine) the magnetic field is radial and on the other side, closer to the anode (ionization area) - the magnetic field is parallel to the engine axis.
These fundamental and essential changes prevent the loss of ions to the engine walls, thus increasing the efficiency of the engine.
Because of the changes introduced in the Hall engine by the Technion researchers, the fuel consumption is small and this makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the utilization of the Hall engines in the satellites. The Hall engine developed at the Technion is primarily intended for the Israeli space industry.
Yes, something is screwed up with the continuation of the article
"The Technion engine has three special changes, which do not exist in other Hall engines: 1. The configuration..."
Where are the other two?
Coming soon to the Israeli satellites