Electrothermal propulsion systems are a type of spacecraft electric propulsion system that use electrically heated propellants to generate thrust.
These systems typically use resistive heating elements or plasma arcs to heat the propellant, which is then expelled through a nozzle to generate thrust.
One of the main advantages of electrothermal propulsion systems is their high specific impulse, or fuel efficiency. This makes them ideal for long-duration missions, such as interplanetary travel. However, they typically have lower thrust levels than chemical propulsion systems, which limits their usefulness for high-thrust maneuvers such as launch and orbit insertion.
There are several types of electrothermal propulsion systems, including resistojets, arcjets, and ion thrusters. Resistojets use resistive heating elements to heat the propellant, while arcjets use plasma arcs. Ion thrusters ionize the propellant and accelerate the ions using electric fields.
Overall, electrothermal propulsion systems offer a promising alternative to traditional chemical propulsion systems for certain types of missions. Ongoing research and development in this field are expected to lead to further improvements in performance and efficiency.
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