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Poster Session II

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Wednesday October 15 Session DW5 COEX, Lobby E
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A reconnection-based thruster concept using an asymmetric current source

Poster 85
Presenter: Young Dae Yoon (Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics)
Author: Gunsu Yun (Department of Physics, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Korea)

We propose a new thruster concept that utilizes magnetic reconnection outflow as the source of thrust. Previous concepts using this process have the problem of either having a symmetric outflow and so there is zero net thrust, or being sporadic in time so that the thrust is irregular and unpredictable. Here we propose a thruster consisting of two current-carrying plates that are positioned at an angle with one another. The outflow symmetry of the induced reconnection is then broken, accelerating the plasma preferentially in one direction. Particle-in-cell simulations are performed which verify the core mechanics of the new concept. Pathways to optimize and improve the rough design and possible new geometries are also discussed.

Funding acknowledgement

was supported by an appointment to the JRG Program at the APCTP through the Science and Technology Promotion Fund and Lottery Fund of the Korean government, and also by the Korean Local Governments — Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Pohang City. This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean Government (MSIT) (NRF-RS-2025-00522068).

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