Numerical simulation of a magneto plasma sail by using three-dimensional hybrid code

Abstract

A magneto plasma sail (MPS) is a new propulsion system which has the possibility of realizing low-cost and short-time travel in planetary exploration and space trips in the near future. We investigate by using a three-dimensional hybrid code whether MPS could receive momentum force from the Solar wind and whether thrust power could be obtained. The hybrid code has some problems in calculating instability under the low-density plasma and has restrictions on grid size. We pay attention to these problems and we estimate the thrust power by calculating the momentum change and confirm that MPS could obtain thrust power from the Solar wind.