1. Development of Magnetic Nozzle Simulations for Space
Propulsion Applications
Colin C. Glesner
(ABSTRACT)
A means of space propulsion using the channeling of plasma by a divergent
magnetic field, referred to as a magnetic nozzle has been explored by a
number of research groups. This research develops the capability to apply
the high order accurate Runge-Kutta discontinuous Galerkin numerical
method to the simulation of magnetic nozzles. The resistive
magnetohydrodynamic model of plasma behavior is developed for these
simulations. To facilitate this work, several modeling capabilities are
developed, including the implementation of appropriate inflow and far-field
boundary conditions, the application of a technique for correcting errors
that develop in the divergence of the magnetic field, and a split formulation
for the magnetic field between the applied and the perturbed component.
This model is then applied to perform a scaling study of the performance of
magnetic nozzles over a range of βk and Rm. In addition, the effect of the
choice of simulation domain size is investigated. Finally, recommendations
for future work are made.
This work was supported in part by VSGC