// PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND ENGINE TECHNOLOGY TERM
Pulsed Plasma Thruster
A Pulsed Plasma Thruster is an electric rocket engine that uses a powerful electric spark to vaporize a tiny amount of solid fuel, like Teflon. This process creates a superheated gas called plasma, which is then shot out at high speed by electromagnetic forces to produce small, precise bursts of thrust.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) is a type of ablative electric propulsion system that generates thrust by discharging a high-current capacitor across a solid propellant (e.g., PTFE). The resulting arc ablates and ionizes the propellant into a plasma, which is then accelerated by self-induced electromagnetic Lorentz forces, delivering high specific impulse for spacecraft attitude control and precision maneuvers.
BACKGROUND
A pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) or as a plasma jet engine (PJE), is a form of electric spacecraft propulsion. PPTs are generally considered the simplest form of electric spacecraft propulsion and were the first form of electric propulsion to be flown in space, having flown on two Soviet probes starting in 1964. PPTs are generally flown on spacecraft with a surplus of electricity from abundantly available solar energy.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- PPT
- Ablative Pulsed Plasma Thruster
- Lorentz Force Accelerator
- Solid Propellant EP
- Electromagnetic Thruster
- Plasma Jet Engine
USAGE NOTE
PPTs are often used on small satellites like CubeSats for fine attitude control because they are simple, reliable, and use an inert, solid fuel.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Pulsed Plasma Thruster.
A major NASA field center that conducts significant research and development in aeronautics and space technology, including a long history of pioneering work in electric propulsion systems like Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPTs).
A US-based company specializing in advanced electric propulsion thrusters and systems for spacecraft. They have developed and flown various micro-propulsion systems, including micro-Pulsed Plasma Thrusters for small satellites.
An aerospace company spun out of the University of Illinois, developing innovative solutions for spacecraft. They produce multiple micropropulsion systems, including the Fiber-fed Pulsed Plasma Thruster (FPPT) and the Pulsed Plasma Thruster for CubeSats (PUC).
A UK-based company focused on the development of electric propulsion systems for small satellites. They offer a range of thrusters, including a specific Pulsed Plasma Thruster model designed for CubeSats.
A university research lab that investigates micro-propulsion systems for small spacecraft. They have developed and extensively studied micro-cathode arc thrusters (μCAT), a type of vacuum arc thruster closely related to pulsed plasma thrusters.
A federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that provides technical guidance and research for national security space missions. Their Propulsion Science Department conducts extensive research, analysis, and testing of various electric propulsion systems, including PPTs.
A leading academic research group in the UK focusing on space systems and technology. Their research portfolio includes significant work on electric propulsion, with studies on improving Pulsed Plasma Thruster performance and exploring alternative propellants.