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Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) / lithium Lorentz force accelerator (LiLFA) Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters and lithium Lorentz force accelerator (LiLFA) thrusters use roughly the same idea with the LiLFA thruster building off of the MPD thruster. Hydrogen, argon, ammonia, and nitrogen gas can be used as propellant. In a certain configuration, the ambient gas in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) can be used as a propellant. The gas first enters the main chamber where it is ionized into plasma by the electric field between the anode and the cathode. This plasma then conducts electricity between the anode and the cathode. This new current creates a magnetic field around the cathode, which crosses with the electric field, thereby accelerating the plasma due to the Lorentz Force. The LiLFA thruster uses the same general idea as the MPD thruster, except for two main differences. The first difference is that the LiLFA uses lithium vapor, which has the advantage of being able to be stored as a solid. The other difference is that the cathode is replaced by multiple smaller cathode rods packed into a hollow cathode tube. The cathode in the MPD thruster is easily corroded due to constant contact with the plasma. In the LiLFA thruster the lithium vapor is injected into the hollow cathode and is not ionized to its plasma form/corrode the cathode rods until it exits the tube. The plasma is then accelerated using the same Lorentz Force.[14][15][16]
An interesting report circulating in the Kremlin today prepared by the Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) states that a test launching of a “massive” and “highly secretive” space-type aircraft by the US Navy sparked a panic in Washington State this past week after this crafts Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) / lithium Lorentz force accelerator (LiLFA) engines failed to properly ignite.
a “massive” and “highly secretive” space-type aircraft by the US Navy sparked a panic in Washington State
Originally posted by Mapkar
The first line of that article screams sorcha faal.
An interesting report circulating in the Kremlin today prepared by the Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) states that a test launching of a “massive” and “highly secretive” space-type aircraft by the US Navy sparked a panic in Washington State this past week after this crafts Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) / lithium Lorentz force accelerator (LiLFA) engines failed to properly ignite.
The bold part is a typical faal opening statement!
edit on 19-3-2012 by Mapkar because: fixed my / on the /b