In-situ lunar propellants for hall effect thrusters
In-situ lunar propellants for hall effect thrusters
This paper explores the potential of using lunar resources, specifically magnesium and calcium, as electric propulsion propellants, aiming to facilitate more sustainable space exploration and enable innovative mission architectures. These elements are abundant in the lunar regolith and have a sufficiently high vapour pressure to support the operation of Hall effect thrusters. Sublimation rates have been determined through tests conducted within a vacuum chamber. Conductive heating of the magnesium in granular form resulted in a sublimation rate of approximately 0.94 mg/s at 524.27°C, slightly lower than predicted. Difficulties encountered during in-situ mass measurements have been detailed. To initiate the next stage of the project, propellant storage and delivery system concepts have been created to integrate the sublimation method into a Hall effect thruster propulsion system.
Parks, Adam
92c491ac-3bf1-4449-adc7-07ec5d55ed86
Ryan, Charlie
3627e47b-01b8-4ddb-b248-4243aad1f872
23 June 2025
Parks, Adam
92c491ac-3bf1-4449-adc7-07ec5d55ed86
Ryan, Charlie
3627e47b-01b8-4ddb-b248-4243aad1f872
Parks, Adam and Ryan, Charlie
(2025)
In-situ lunar propellants for hall effect thrusters.
38th International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC 2024), , Toulouse, France.
23 - 28 Jun 2025.
20 pp
.
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Conference or Workshop Item
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Abstract
This paper explores the potential of using lunar resources, specifically magnesium and calcium, as electric propulsion propellants, aiming to facilitate more sustainable space exploration and enable innovative mission architectures. These elements are abundant in the lunar regolith and have a sufficiently high vapour pressure to support the operation of Hall effect thrusters. Sublimation rates have been determined through tests conducted within a vacuum chamber. Conductive heating of the magnesium in granular form resulted in a sublimation rate of approximately 0.94 mg/s at 524.27°C, slightly lower than predicted. Difficulties encountered during in-situ mass measurements have been detailed. To initiate the next stage of the project, propellant storage and delivery system concepts have been created to integrate the sublimation method into a Hall effect thruster propulsion system.
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Published date: 23 June 2025
Venue - Dates:
38th International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC 2024), , Toulouse, France, 2025-06-23 - 2025-06-28
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Local EPrints ID: 503522
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/503522
PURE UUID: 1d5f9807-1934-4e47-a8c3-2beb78c0d5fd
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Date deposited: 04 Aug 2025 16:53
Last modified: 04 Aug 2025 16:53
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Author:
Adam Parks
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