Arcjets are a form of electric propulsion for spacecraft, whereby an electrical discharge (arc) is created in a flow of propellant (typically hydrazine or ammonia). This imparts additional energy to the propellant, so that one can extract more work out of each kilogram of propellant, at the expense of increased power consumption and (usually) higher cost. Also, the thrust levels available from typically used arcjet engines are very low compared with chemical engines. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Space Shuttle Discovery as seen from the International Space Station. ... Hydrazine is the chemical compound with formula N2H4. ... For other uses, see Ammonia (disambiguation). ... Thrust is a reaction force described quantitatively by Newtons Second and Third Laws. ...

When the energy is available, arcjets are well suited to station keeping in orbit and can replace monopropellant rockets. A monopropellant rocket (or monoprop rocket) is a rocket that uses a single chemical as its power source and propellant. ...

In Germany, researchers at the University of Stuttgart's Institute of Space Aviation Systems have been looking into these challenges for years and have developed various hydrogen-powered arcjet engines capable of power outputs from 1 to 100 kW. The heated hydrogen reaches exit speeds of just under 10 miles per second (16 km/s). In 2009, an arcjet-propelled test satellite by the name of Baden-Württemberg 1 is scheduled to go to the moon. The Universität Stuttgart is the University of Stuttgart. ... General Name, Symbol, Number hydrogen, H, 1 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 1, 1, s Appearance colorless Atomic mass 1. ... For other uses, see Watt (disambiguation). ... 2009 (MMIX) will be a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In the future, (hydrogen-powered) advanced arcjet engines could replace conventional chemical jet engines^{[citation needed]}, both in spacecraft and jet airplanes. The advantages are: higher output per fuel quantity, improved maneuverability especially with spacecraft, very high reliability, and, last but not least, less air pollution. Hydrogen simply turns into water upon combustion, and under the premise that hydrogen production will no longer rely on fossil fuels as an energy source in the future, a significant step towards protecting the environment could be made. The Space Shuttle Discovery as seen from the International Space Station. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Air pollution is a chemical, particulate matter, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. ... Hydrogen production is done in bulk today from hydrocarbon fossil fuels via a chemical path. ... Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons, primarily coal and petroleum (fuel oil or natural gas), formed from the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals[1] by exposure to heat and pressure in the Earths crust over hundreds of millions of years[2]. The theory that hydrocarbons were formed from these... Energy development is the ongoing effort to provide abundant and accessible energy through knowledge, skills, and constructions. ...

Suggested Reading

Lichtbogenantriebe für Weltraumaufgaben (Arcjet propulsion systems for space applications), Prof. Monika Auweter-Kurtz, B.G. Teubner Stuttgart 1992 Institute of Space Aviation Systems at the University of Stutgart

• Arcjet (Lichtbogentriebwerk)

See also: spacecraft propulsion A remote camera captures a close-up view of a Space Shuttle Main Engine during a test firing at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi Spacecraft propulsion is any method used to change the velocity of spacecraft and artificial satellites. ...