This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Calendar

LEC # TOPICS KEY DATES
1 Mission Requirements for Space Propulsion

Review of Rocket Propulsion		 Assignment 1 out
2 Mission Analysis for Low Thrust Assignment 1 due
Assignment 2 out
3 Approximate ∆V for Low-Thrust Spiral Climb  
4 Re-positioning in Orbits  
5 Chemical Thrusters for In-Space Propulsion  
6 Hydrazine Decomposition: Performance Estimates Assignment 2 due
Assignment 3 out
7 Bipropellant Chemical Thrusters and Chemical Propulsion Systems Consideration (Valving, Tanks, etc.) Assignment 3 due
Assignment 4 out
9 Some Examples of Small Solid Propellant Rockets for In-space Propulsion  
10 Electric Propulsion - Some Generalities on Plasma (and Arcjet Engines) Assignment 4 due
Assignment 5 out
11-12 Simplified Analysis of Arcjet Operation Assignment 5 due
    Quiz 1
13-14 Electrostatic Thrusters  
15 Thrust Calculation (Single Grid, Single Potential)  
16 Brophy's Theory Assignment 6 out
17 Notes on Hall Thrusters Assignment 6 due
Assignment 7 out
18 Hall Thruster Efficiency Assignment 7 due
Assignment 8 out
19 Hall Thruster Efficiency (cont.)

Assignment 8 due
Assignment 9
out
20 Hall Thruster Efficiency (cont.) Assignment 9 due
Assignment 10 out
21 Electrostatic versus Electromagnetic Thrusters  
22 A Simple Model For MPD Performance-onset  
23-25 Colloidal Engines- Experimental Results and Modeling of Basic Phenomena  
    Quiz 2