New experiments to uncover the factors that influence plasma flow could bring scientists closer to achieving an electrodeless plasma thruster.

In space, it’s known that magnetic field lines become stretched by plasma flows, causing them to increase – but in the lab, scientists have found that the opposite occurs, causing the magnetic field to decrease.

Based on these interactions, researchers are working to create thrusters that use an expanding magnetic field, in which plasma is accelerated to propel a spacecraft.

Scientists have now identified the transition point that could allow plasma flow to guide the magnetic field toward space while still maintaining thrust, in what could help overcome one of the technology’s biggest challenges.

Plasma, an extremely hot gas with electrically charged particles, is found all throughout the universe and is influenced by environmental forces, such as magnetic fields.

The complex behaviours observed in space and in the lab suggest plasma can generate the magnetic field in the opposite direction to the one applied, according to the researchers from Tohoku University.

This causes the field lines to diverge, much like magnets with their North poles facing toward each other.

Recent efforts to create plasma thrusters rely on an expanding magnetic field known as the magnetic nozzle (MN).

But, the technique has been faced with challenges.

In the lab, the magnetic fields are closed and turned back toward the spacecraft.

This, in turn, causes the plasma to turn back as well, resulting in a net thrust of zero…..More Here