Development of PIFE-PIC-ESP: Parallel Immersed Finite Element Particle-In-Cell for ElectroSpray Propulsion

Abstract

As Electrospray Thrusters Become More Popular on Small Satellites, a Multiscale, Multiphysics Modeling/simulation Tool is Needed to Study the Thruster Performance and Plume Characteristics. This Paper Presents the Preliminary Work on the Development of a Multiscale (From Single Emitter to Spacecraft Plume) Kinetic Simulation Framework Specifically Designed for Electrospray Propulsion, Namely, Parallel Immersed Finite Element Particle-In-Cell for ElectroSpray Propulsion (PIFE-PIC-ESP). Legacy Modules of the Underlying Framework PIFE-PIC Are Briefly Described. New Modules Particularly Related to Electrospray Thrusters Are under Development at Different Scales Ranging from Single Emitter/extractor to Thruster Plume. Ongoing Efforts Are Focused on Carrying Out Benchmarking Simulation Cases Across the Scales to Enable Cross-Scale Capabilities.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Second Department

Mathematics and Statistics

Comments

Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Grant DMS-2111039

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-162410711-5

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2024 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2024

Link to Full Text

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