公开(公告)号：US10428806B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-01

申请号：US15004818

申请日：2016-01-22

Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY

Inventor： Jamie J. Childress ,  Thomas L. Kessler

IPC: F03H1/00 ,  B64G1/40 ,  B64G4/00 ,  B64G1/00

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a structural propellant for ion rockets (SPIR) are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method for in-space propulsion of a spacecraft involves removing, by a removal device, a portion of a structure of the spacecraft. The method further involves feeding, by the removal device, the portion into a Hall thruster system. Further, the method involves utilizing, by the Hall thruster system, the portion as propellant to produce thrust. In one or more embodiments, the structure is an upper stage of the spacecraft. In at least one embodiment, the upper stage comprises at least one structural support and/or at least one upper stage housing. In some embodiments, the structure is manufactured from magnesium, bismuth, zinc, and/or indium.

公开(公告)号：US20170211554A1

公开(公告)日：2017-07-27

申请号：US15004818

申请日：2016-01-22

Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY

Inventor： Jamie J. Childress ,  Thomas L. Kessler

IPC: F03H1/00 ,  B64G1/40

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a structural propellant for ion rockets (SPIR) are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method for in-space propulsion of a spacecraft involves removing, by a removal device, a portion of a structure of the spacecraft. The method further involves feeding, by the removal device, the portion into a Hall thruster system. Further, the method involves utilizing, by the Hall thruster system, the portion as propellant to produce thrust. In one or more embodiments, the structure is an upper stage of the spacecraft. In at least one embodiment, the upper stage comprises at least one structural support and/or at least one upper stage housing. In some embodiments, the structure is manufactured from magnesium, bismuth, zinc, and/or indium.