Spaceborne Momentum Transfer Technology
C. E. Singer,* V. Coverstone-Carroll (Theoret. & Appl. Mech.)
U.S. Department of Energy, DE-FG03-97SF21281

Centrifugal relays are being examined for acceleration of payloads in space for launch from low earth orbit or capture of ground-launched payloads initially on suborbital trajectories, with the objectives of complete recovery of reaction mass. This involves use of a series of rotating centrifugal mass launchers to relay small spheres from a primary rotor to a payload and back. This involves theoretical study of system kinematics, rotor dynamics, and guidance and design of experiments for laboratory investigation of launch, aiming, and recovery in horizontal and vertical configurations.

Spherical IEC Jet Thruster Studies
G. H. Miley,* B. Jurczyk
Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG

Experimental and theoretical studies are being performed on the spherical inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) jet thruster to better understand its plasma physics behavior and performance characteristics in order to optimize its design and operational conditions for use as a 500- to 800-W spacecraft thruster. The IEC jet thruster creates and accelerates ions toward a central spot, which then escape out through a single quasi-neutral jet with electrons, creating thrust. Faraday cup and thermocouple measurements are being taken to determine particle energy distributions and heating power of the jet, and hence, the device thrust and efficiency.