US 11,722,123 B2
Enhanced thrust from ion-propelled spacecraft via tethered ion blocker
Brian Tillotson, Kent, WA (US); and Bailey Keakulina Eaton, Seattle, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 29, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/555,346.
Prior Publication US 2021/0269177 A1, Sep. 2, 2021
Int. Cl. G06N 10/00 (2022.01); B64G 1/40 (2006.01); B64G 1/64 (2006.01); H03H 9/56 (2006.01); B82Y 10/00 (2011.01); H01L 27/18 (2006.01); H01L 39/02 (2006.01); H01L 39/22 (2006.01); H01L 39/24 (2006.01); H01L 49/00 (2006.01); H03H 9/17 (2006.01); H03K 19/195 (2006.01)
CPC H03H 9/564 (2013.01) [B64G 1/405 (2013.01); B64G 1/648 (2013.01); B82Y 10/00 (2013.01); G06N 10/00 (2019.01); H01L 27/18 (2013.01); H01L 39/025 (2013.01); H01L 39/223 (2013.01); H01L 39/2493 (2013.01); H01L 49/006 (2013.01); H03H 9/171 (2013.01); H03K 19/195 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
12. A propulsion system comprising:
an ion blocker (220);
one or more tethers (212), wherein the one or more tethers are electrically insulated, wherein a first end of each of the one or more tethers is coupled to a spacecraft (200), and wherein a second end of each of the one or more tethers is coupled to the ion blocker, wherein the tether provides a mechanical connection between the spacecraft and ion blocker that enables the transfer of momentum between the spacecraft and ion blocker; and
an ion thruster (205) configured to generate a first propulsive force (Ti) by emitting a charged ion beam (230) in a direction with an ion velocity vector comprising an ion vector component that is perpendicular to a magnetic field of a planet;
wherein the magnetic field causes the ion beam to curve toward the ion blocker at a trajectory (232) such that ions within the ion beam are blocked by the ion blocker to generate a second propulsive force (T2) on the ion blocker.