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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
In order to determine the true capability of the E-Sail, the discrepancy in force per unit length of charged wires must be understood. This difference can only be resolved by plasma chamber testing. Therefore, the first objective of this CIF project will be to repeat the MSFC interaction experiment, but with a long thin cylindrical test body, which will be more representative of the biased E-Sail wires. This proposed effort will also validate the physics model that describes the theory that a positively charged wire can produce a useful amount of thrust from solar wind. A strand of conductive wire will be charged and subjected to a solar wind environment in the MSFC Solar Wind Test Facility. Data collected will be compared with theoretical models.
Enable continued development of the electric sail concept by developing and experimentally validating more accurate physics models for sail performance. Electric sails can potentially enable ambitious new robotic science and exploration missions throughout the solar system and beyond.
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