APM Project #86B: "Pinnae"

[nevrozac]

2. Propulsion Engine

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When it comes to propulsion means there aren't many options to chose from in present times. Most commonly used engines around Sirius are the fusion engines, a tempting choice but very unstable due to it's volume and size needed to efficiently generate thrust for the vessel in question. On top of it's size limitation, this type of engine also generates enormous amounts of heat and radiation which would deteriorate the ships integrity over time. Use of fusion engines, even if widely used currently, is simply put too unstable in regards to this project.

Considering the drawbacks of current technology, the DM team has been tasked to research adequate means of propulsion. Ever since developing a proper power source for the ship we've come to the conclusion that not only that energy generated will abundant, but we've also have been given the opportunity of seeking thrust through Plasma Propulsion engines.

Plasma propulsion engines are means of electric propulsion that use electricity to generate electromagnetic fields whom in turn compress and excite a gas turning it into plasma. Plasma is then energized through radio waves and then is expelled with the use a magnetic field, generating thrust. The fact that these types of engines are not commonly used is dictated by the need to generate enough electricity to turn gases into plasma; this complication is negated by dedicating one of the IRG cells used in the power module solely to the engines consumption.

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The Core's proximity to the Omicron Delta Nomad Reactor has always made Azurite Gas an abundant resource to be researched and exploited. From previous studies we know that the Azurite is a radioactive element with an average conductivity having a ionization energy value of 1037 kJ/mol required to extract one electron from its shells; it's atom identifies with the 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p6 electron configuration with 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 8 electrons per shell, 86 protons and 136 neutrons.

Unlike other gases, azurite has proved to have special properties: when exposed to constant voltage and current, Azurite begins to absorb the energy; this factor facilitates the ionization process and aids greatly towards turning the propellant into plasma. Furthermore the resulted plasma is extremely responsive to magnetic fields, giving it a potential specific impulse value that could reach up to 9500s and an effective exhaust velocity of 95,000 m/s.

Azurite atom

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