Correction thruster development based on high-current surface discharge in vacuum

This paper describes the effects of “runaway” electrons and the formation of an electron beam in a nanosecond surface discharge plasma at a pressure of Р≤10−2 mm mercury column. The application of those effects enables the production of a positively charged plasma with a concentration of n≥1014 cm−3 in the discharge chamber volume. Such positively charged plasma can be used in various systems of electric propulsion thrusters. An example of electrostatic EPT implementation that produces up-to-date specific characteristics was considered.