The negligible vapor pressure, significant electrical conductivities and thermal stability of ionic liquids (IL's) have made them exceptional candidates for electrospray space propulsion applications of small space vehicles.  Recently, energetic ionic liquids have been proposed for use in both combustion and electrospray thrusters adding versatility to their potential missions. This talk provides an introduction to the use of ionic-liquid propelled electrospray thrusters with an emphasis on energetic IL's. The physics associated with these fuels in single cone-jet electrosprays is discussed alongwith recent developments with respect to these sources.   Specific examples will include electrospray thrusters employing solutions of hydroxylammonium nitrate/water (HAN) as well as thrusters utilizing 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium dicyanamide (BMIM-DCA).

Ionic liquids in electric propulsion

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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