Focusing plasma jets to achieve high current density: Feasibility and opportunities for applications in debris removal and space exploration

Levchenko, I; Baranov, O; Fang, J; Cherkun, O; Xu, S; Bazaka, K

Focusing plasma jets to achieve high current density: Feasibility and opportunities for applications in debris removal and space exploration

Levchenko, I Baranov, O Fang, J

Cherkun, O Xu, S Bazaka, K

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Aerospace Science and Technology, 2021, 108, pp. 106343
Issue Date:: 2021-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Levchenko, I
dc.contributor.author	Baranov, O
dc.contributor.author	Fang, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2214-2902
dc.contributor.author	Cherkun, O
dc.contributor.author	Xu, S
dc.contributor.author	Bazaka, K
dc.date.accessioned	2022-02-02T18:59:38Z
dc.date.available	2022-02-02T18:59:38Z
dc.date.issued	2021-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Aerospace Science and Technology, 2021, 108, pp. 106343
dc.identifier.issn	1270-9638
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/154138
dc.description.abstract	Rapid emergence of satellite-based economy coupled with the current renaissance in space exploration and aspirations for the Moon and Mars colonization drive strong interest in various techniques that may be adapted to space conditions and utilized for space debris disintegration and removal, as well as device maintenance and repair operations in open space. Dense plasma jets are a promising tool for many advanced applications. These can range from material processing to applying powerful effects of plasmas to targets to facilitate e.g. repair of material components in devices under field conditions or in space, as well as to enable destruction of objects for removal of debris from near-Earth space. Although there has been some effort in the use of strongly focused plasma jets in the aerospace technology, to date such a use is not widespread. In this work, we describe the experiments that demonstrate the possibility of focusing plasma jets into very high-current spots, where the current density reaches in a spot of about 5 mm. Depending on a specific configuration of focusing magnetic coils, the footprint of the focusing spot could be controlled over a wide range, from millimetres to centimetres, and the current density could be varied from hundreds to thousands . We also briefly outline the possible applications of such systems, emphasising the possible use of such focused plasmas in space exploration technology. We expect that the suggested approach would be of considerable interest to many experts working in aerospace technology, and will stimulate new research directions in these fields.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Aerospace Science and Technology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.ast.2020.106343
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	0901 Aerospace Engineering, 0913 Mechanical Engineering
dc.subject.classification	Aerospace & Aeronautics
dc.title	Focusing plasma jets to achieve high current density: Feasibility and opportunities for applications in debris removal and space exploration
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	108
utslib.for	0901 Aerospace Engineering
utslib.for	0913 Mechanical Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-02-02T18:59:36Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	108

Abstract:

Rapid emergence of satellite-based economy coupled with the current renaissance in space exploration and aspirations for the Moon and Mars colonization drive strong interest in various techniques that may be adapted to space conditions and utilized for space debris disintegration and removal, as well as device maintenance and repair operations in open space. Dense plasma jets are a promising tool for many advanced applications. These can range from material processing to applying powerful effects of plasmas to targets to facilitate e.g. repair of material components in devices under field conditions or in space, as well as to enable destruction of objects for removal of debris from near-Earth space. Although there has been some effort in the use of strongly focused plasma jets in the aerospace technology, to date such a use is not widespread. In this work, we describe the experiments that demonstrate the possibility of focusing plasma jets into very high-current spots, where the current density reaches in a spot of about 5 mm. Depending on a specific configuration of focusing magnetic coils, the footprint of the focusing spot could be controlled over a wide range, from millimetres to centimetres, and the current density could be varied from hundreds to thousands . We also briefly outline the possible applications of such systems, emphasising the possible use of such focused plasmas in space exploration technology. We expect that the suggested approach would be of considerable interest to many experts working in aerospace technology, and will stimulate new research directions in these fields.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/154138