Electrodeless plasma thruster with closed-ring-shaped gas discharge chamber

A high frequency plasma thruster with a closed-ring-shaped gas discharge chamber, the high frequency plasma thruster comprising:

• the closed-ring-shaped gas discharge chamber;
• a guide tube having a first end coupled with the closed-ring-shaped gas discharge chamber and a second open end;
• an antenna comprising a magnetic core, the antenna positioned on an exterior of the closed-ring-shaped gas discharge chamber;
• a dielectric sleeve positioned on an external surface of the antenna, the dielectric sleeve at least partially surrounding the antenna;
• a magnetic system located at the second open end of the guide tube;
• a propellant storage system in fluid communication with the closed-ring-shaped gas discharge chamber;
• a high frequency generator electrically coupled with the antenna;
• a power supply electrically coupled with the magnetic system;
• a power converter electrically coupled with the power supply, the high frequency generator, and the propellant storage system;
• and
• a control module electrically coupled with and for controlling the power converter, the high frequency generator, the propellant storage system, and the power supply.

A wave plasma thruster with a closed-ring-shaped gas discharge chamber, the wave plasma thruster comprising:

• the closed-ring-shaped gas discharge chamber;
• a guide tube having a first end coupled with the closed-ring-shaped gas discharge chamber and a second open end;
• an antenna positioned on an exterior of the closed-ring-shaped gas discharge chamber;
• a dielectric sleeve positioned on an external surface of the antenna, the dielectric sleeve at least partially surrounding the antenna;
• a first magnetic system at least partially surrounding the closed-ring-shaped gas discharge chamber;
• a second magnetic system positioned at the second open end of the guide tube;
• a propellant storage system in fluid communication with the closed-ring-shaped gas discharge chamber;
• a radio frequency generator electrically coupled with the antenna;
• a first power supply electrically coupled with the first magnetic system;
• a second power supply electrically coupled with the second magnetic system;
• a power converter electrically coupled with the radio frequency generator, the first power supply, the second power supply, and the propellant storage system;
• and
• a control module electrically coupled with and for controlling the power converter, the propellant storage system, the radio frequency generator, the first power supply, and the second power supply.