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Ion Optics Development for iBeam
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Description
Demonstrate that flat carbon-carbon grids with a large grid gap can enable the low beam divergence angle needed for efficient asteroid deflection (≤ 5°, ~4x reduction from SOA). Test grids at >4 kV in Yr. 2 to enable 2x increase in thrust density and deflection force.
Benefits
Demonstration of a low divergence, high current density ion beam provides 5x performance increase relative to the SOA, establishing iBeam as an attractive technique that mitigates known issues with Kinetic Impactors.
Details
| Technology area | Propulsion Systems > Electric Space Propulsion > Electrostatic Propulsion |
| Program | Center Innovation Fund: JPL CIF (JPL CIF) |
| Lead organization | Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA |
| Start date | 2025-10-01 |
| End date | 2026-09-30 |
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