Hall-effect Thruster Utilizing Bismuth As Propellant

摘要

A laboratory-model Hall-effect space-craft thruster was developed that uti-lizes bismuth as the propellant.Xenon was used in most prior Hall-effect thrusters.Bismuth is an attractive alter-native because it has a larger atomic mass,a larger electron-impact-ioniza-tion cross-section,and is cheaper and more plentiful.