STARGATE: An Undergraduate Experimental Electric Propulsion Student Research Project
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This paper reports on the ongoing investigation regarding the feasibility of utilizing the Corona Discharge Reaction as an alternative plasma production mechanism in a Gridded Ion Thruster system. The STARGATE project investigated and demonstrated the difference between negative and positive Corona Discharge Reactions as it pertains to electric propulsion applications, as well as investigated the feasibility of utilizing the Corona Discharge Reaction for plasma production in its intended operating environment. The team has designed and fabricated an initial functional vacuum testing prototype, and is pending initial test-firing.
