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 |
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.
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