@inproceedings{8450f9fbb9294aafb7b98ef49f350604,
title = "Laboratory demonstration of space debris removal by a bi-directional helicon plasma thruster",
abstract = "Space debris removal by a bi-directional helicon plasma thruster is demonstrated in laboratory experiments, where the thruster consists of a helicon source having two open source exits and two solenoids downstream and upstream of the rf antenna. The thrust force exerted on the thruster and the force to the target materials are simultaneously measured by taking the displacement signal of these pendulums. The experiment shows that the present system can exert zero net force to the thruster and finite force to the target simulating the debris. These forces can also be controlled by the external parameters such as the magnetic field configurations. Hence the operation of the debris removal mode, the thruster mode, and the deceleration mode can be switched by changing the electrical currents supplied to the two solenoids. It implies that both the debris removal and propelling the spacecraft or satellite can be achieved by only one electric propulsion device.",
keywords = "Debris removal, Helicon thruster, Magnetic nozzle, Plasma momentum",
author = "Kazunori Takahashi and Christine Charles and Boswell, {Rod W.} and Akira Ando",
note = "Funding Information: This work is partially supported by grants-in-aid for scientific research (25287150) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and JAXA. Publisher Copyright: Copyright {\textcopyright} 2017 by H.G. Lewis, B. Bastida Virgili, J. Radtke, A. Rossi, J. Beck and H. Krag.; 68th International Astronautical Congress: Unlocking Imagination, Fostering Innovation and Strengthening Security, IAC 2017 ; Conference date: 25-09-2017 Through 29-09-2017",
year = "2017",
language = "English",
isbn = "9781510855373",
series = "Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC",
publisher = "International Astronautical Federation, IAF",
pages = "3709--3715",
booktitle = "68th International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2017",
}