About this Research Topic

Background

Electric propulsion is a type of propulsion technology that uses electric and/or magnetic fields to accelerate charged particles and create thrust for spacecraft propulsion. This type of propulsion is commonly used in space applications as it provides a very efficient means of propulsion with low fuel consumption.

Compared to traditional chemical propulsion systems, electric propulsion systems offer significant advantages in terms of fuel efficiency (i.e., specific impulse) and the ability to provide continuous thrust over long periods of time. As a result, advances in electric propulsion have the potential to revolutionize space exploration and enable longer and more ambitious missions. EP systems on the order of 0.1-10 kW have substantial flight heritage in Earth orbit and a growing flight history in deep space, systems on the order of 50 kW are planned or in development, and higher power systems, on the order of 100 kW to 1 MW, can enable even more audacious future missions.

One of the key areas of research in electric propulsion is the development of more efficient and powerful thruster strings. By increasing efficiency and power, researchers hope to enable faster and more efficient travel to distant destinations in the solar system. Potential options for high-power EP systems include technologies with substantial flight heritage at lower power, such as Hall-effect and gridded ion thrusters, as well as those with little or no flight heritage but the potential to offer advantages at high power levels, such as magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, field-reverse configuration thrusters, and pulsed inductive thrusters. Required advances include not only an improved understanding of thruster operation and performance, but materials engineering, thermal management, and other practical aspects of flight implementation of these systems including ground testing and integration.

In addition to improving the performance of electric propulsion systems, researchers are also working to develop new power sources and systems to supply the high levels of electrical energy needed for these systems. For example, advances in solar cell technology could provide a reliable and renewable source of power for electric propulsion systems, and nuclear power systems may provide the immense power necessary for certain missions.

Overall, advances in electric propulsion have the potential to transform space exploration and enable new discoveries and missions. By continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible with these systems, researchers are opening up new horizons for human exploration of the solar system and beyond.

Therefore, this Research Topic aims to gather high-quality articles related to recent advances in Electric Propulsion systems, and will seek original contributions in the following topical areas related to Electric Propulsion, plus others that are not explicitly listed but are closely related:

• Hall Effect Thrusters (HETs)
• Gridded Ion Thrusters
• Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPTs)
• Pulsed Inductive Thrusters (PITs)
• Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters (MPDTs)
• Field-Reverse Configuration Thrusters (FRCs)
• Thermal management of electric propulsion systems
• Megawatt EP systems
• Facility effects studies.
• In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and alternative propellants.
• RF/Microwave Electrothermal Thrusters
• Electrospray Thrusters

Keywords: Electric Propulsion, Advances, Propulsion technologies, Space applications

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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