Highly-conducting plasma plumes ejected across the interplanetary magnetic field are proposed as a technique for extracting electric power from the solar wind. Although the power density of the solar wind is very low ((approx) 10(sup (minus)3) W/m(sup 2)), plumes generated by plasma guns may be capable of extending thousands of kilometers to generate > 10 megawatts. Calculations indicate that the extractable power is proportional to the mass ejection rate of the plume, with net power production possible when the plume velocity is sufficiently less than the solar wind Alfven velocity ((approx) 80 km/sec). Applications could include space propulsion outside of planetary magnetospheres and a lunar power section. 8 refs., 6 figs.
展开▼
