Plasmoid power

Researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville are investigating plasma space propulsion concepts that could eventually power manned missions to other planets.

The Plasmoid Thruster Experiment (PTX) is a stepping stone to a highly efficient propulsion concept which could ultimately change how we travel in space, according to Dr. Jason Cassibry, a researcher in UAH’s Propulsion Research Center.

‘Larger, more powerful versions can produce fusion for both power and space propulsion, allowing human travel to the outer planets,’ he said.

The experimental branch of the Propulsion Research Center’s pulsed plasma research group is gathering experimental data from PTX, which was originally built at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. MSFC donated the equipment to UAH last year.

The purpose of the PTX is to investigate the fundamental plasma and acceleration properties of a small-scale, pulsed plasma thruster.

PTX works by ringing a single turn conical theta pinch coil at about 500 kHz, ionizing and accelerating a small quantity of gas. The magnetic field inside the coil creates a plasmoid, a plasma that has a closed magnetic field structure.