Avco thermal arc rocket ?

[edwest4]

I just bought a book titled Conflict in Space, published in 1962. One plate has the following caption:

"Avco project of thermal arc (electric) rockets as a low-thrust, long-endurance cruising power plant. Hydrogen propellant, electric power supplied from nuclear source."

Are there any specs out there that provide possible speed or other data?



Thanks in advance,



Ed

 

[Michel Van]

some information about Thermal Arc engine

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19650017046_1965017046.pdf
http://alfven.princeton.edu/papers/magnetarc.pdf

 

[mz]

Arcjets are pretty normal engines for spacecraft. Higher ISP than pure chemical thrusters though they need electrical power. They don't use hydrogen nowadays.

 

[edwest4]

Fantastic. Thank you both.






Ed