Modelling of a 1 T High-Temperature Superconducting Applied Field Module for a Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster

Magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters are a form of electric propulsion for space applications that use magnetic and electric fields to accelerate plasma from a spacecraft to generate thrust. It has been shown experimentally and theoretically that applying a strong magnetic field to an MPD thruster can improve thrust and efficiency and lower the required discharge current. This work presents concept design and modelling of a 1 T high-temperature superconducting applied field module cooled by a miniaturised cryocooler targeting an existing thruster. Using a 3D finite element modelling approach, thermal and electromagnetic predictions of the mechanical assembly are performed, which include temperature dependent thermal properties of the mechanical components and temperature and field dependent critical current anisotropy of the superconductor. The model was used to generate design curves to determine the operational temperature required to achieve central fields up to 2.5 T.