Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2019-41
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2019-41
09 May 2019
 | 09 May 2019
Status: this discussion paper is a preprint. It has been under review for the journal Annales Geophysicae (ANGEO). The manuscript was not accepted for further review after discussion.

Long Range Plasma Momentum Coupling by High Voltage Static Electric field and Deep Space Exploration

Kokwei Chew, Xinyu Zhou, and Yian Lei

Abstract. Space exploration has been long constrained by the efficiency and capability of modern chemical rocket. Propellant-less propulsion has been proposed as a solution to expand the boundary of space exploration. In this paper, we examine the possibilities of a propellantless propulsion scheme through the interaction between the spacecraft and ambient plasma. The spacecraft is charged to high electric potential by constantly shooting electrons away. The high voltage spacecraft will deplete the surrounding electrons, thus interact with a wide range of the background plasma (solar wind) and thus effectively extract momentum from the plasma. By taking advantage of the exploitable ambient plasma, a spacecraft can reach very high speed, thus considerably reducing the travel time. The scheme is also applicable for braking, which is helpful in the exploration of inner planets like Venus and Mercury, and the stopping at the destination planets or stars.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Kokwei Chew, Xinyu Zhou, and Yian Lei
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
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Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Kokwei Chew, Xinyu Zhou, and Yian Lei
Kokwei Chew, Xinyu Zhou, and Yian Lei

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Short summary
By shooting away electrons from a spacecraft, it will deplete its surrounding electrons and create a large range of positively charged plasma, which will couple with an even larger range of the ambient plasma, and be accelerated or decelerated according to the relative speed between the craft and its ambience. A spacecraft can use the solar wind, artificial particle beam, or cosmic jet to achieve very high interstellar travelling velocity, or brake at the destination, with no propellant.