Students will be able to: -) identify the most important space maneuvers and evaluate their propulsive requirements; -) describe in detail the most important electric propulsion systems, their performance, and their fields of application; -) apply the acquired knowledge to assess propulsive solutions and evaluate their performance in relation to mission requirements.

Basic knowledge of physics, mechanics, thermodynamics and electromagnetism. In addition, basic knowledge of space systems, astrodynamics, propulsion and electronics.

Generalities of space propulsion: -) Principles of propulsion in space -) Thrust and specific impulse -) Tsiolkovsky's equation -) Velocity losses -) Comparison of chemical propulsion and electric propulsion -) Optimal specific impulse Maneuvers: -) Hohmann transfer -) Escape and capture -) Interplanetary transfers -) Low-thrust trajectories and Edelbaum approximation Fundamentals of electic propulsion: -) Review of basic concepts of electromagnetism and ionization -) Definition of plasma -) Particle collisions: classification and cross section -) Scalar conductivity and Hall parameter; particle motion in varying electromagnetic fields Electrothermal propulsion: -) losses and propellants -) Resistojets -) Arcjets Electrostatic propulsion: -) Ideal efficiency and ionization -) Acceleration: Child's law and bidimensional effects -) Acceleration and deceleration -) Neutralization -) Ion thrusters, FEEP, and colloid thrusters -) Hall effect thrusters Electromagnetic propulsion: -) Magnetogasdynamic equations -) Pumping and blowing -) Self-field and applied-field MPD thrusters -) VASIMR -) Unsteady electromagnetic propulsion: pulse plasma thrusters. Power sources Nuclear propulsion Advanced propulsion concepts: -) Solar sails

The course consists of approximately 45 hours of lectures and 15 hours of numerical exercises on optimal specific impulse, low-thrust trajectories, the performance of electrothermal thrusters, and the performance of electric thrusters.

R. G. Jahn, Physics of Electric Propulsion, First edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, 1968. L. Casalino: course slides.

Lecture slides; Video lectures (current year);

You can take this exam before attending the course

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

Oral exam (30–40 minutes). Students are expected to answer 3 questions involving theoretical analysis and simple calculations. Each question is primarily associated with one of the following broad areas: -) generalities of space propulsion and electrothermal propulsion; -) electrostatic and electromagnetic propulsion; -) orbital maneuvers. Questions may require connections across different topics covered in the course. The exam is intended to assess the student's ability to: -) explain the operating principles and main characteristics of space thrusters; -) evaluate and compare the performance of different propulsive solutions; -) identify the propulsive solution most suitable for specific mission requirements; -) analyze the main characteristics of orbital maneuvers. Maximum grade: 30 cum laude

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.