A nitric oxide generator generates nitric oxide from a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen such as air treated by a pulsating electrical discharge. The desired concentration of nitric oxide is obtained by controlling at least one of a frequency of the pulsating electrical discharge and duration of each electrical discharge pulse.

A nitric oxide generator generates nitric oxide from a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen such as air treated by a pulsating electrical discharge. The desired concentration of nitric oxide is obtained by controlling at least one of a frequency of the pulsating electrical discharge and duration of each electrical discharge pulse.

A thruster for a micro-satellite is disclosed. The thruster includes a cathode composed of a propellant material and an anode composed of ablative material. The thruster includes a housing having a proximate end and an opposite distal end having a thrust channel. The housing holds the anode and the cathode. A pulsed voltage source is coupled between the cathode and the anode causing current sufficient to create ablation of the anode and a plasma jet including ablated particles from the anode to be emitted from the thrust channel.

A thruster for a micro-satellite is disclosed. The thruster includes a cathode composed of a propellant material and an anode composed of ablative material. The thruster includes a housing having a proximate end and an opposite distal end having a thrust channel. The housing holds the anode and the cathode. A pulsed voltage source is coupled between the cathode and the anode causing current sufficient to create ablation of the anode and a plasma jet including ablated particles from the anode to be emitted from the thrust channel.

A hollow electrode assembly through which gas from a gas supply can pass and be effused across the casing of the electrode for supplying a gas for a plasma discharge. The gas passing the electrode goes from a higher gas pressure environment inside the electrode to a lower gas pressure environment on the outside of the electrode. The casing of the electrode through which the gas effuses can be a metal or metal allow which provides for a controlled flow of the gas through the wall. The flow rate of the gas can be controlled by one or more of the porosity of the metal or metal alloy used, the type of gas used, the pressure differential between the inside and outside of the electrode, and the temperature of the system. The electrode assembly can be used in and high temperature plasma generators.

A hollow electrode assembly through which gas from a gas supply can pass and be effused across the casing of the electrode for supplying a gas for a plasma discharge. The gas passing the electrode goes from a higher gas pressure environment inside the electrode to a lower gas pressure environment on the outside of the electrode. The casing of the electrode through which the gas effuses can be a metal or metal allow which provides for a controlled flow of the gas through the wall. The flow rate of the gas can be controlled by one or more of the porosity of the metal or metal alloy used, the type of gas used, the pressure differential between the inside and outside of the electrode, and the temperature of the system. The electrode assembly can be used in and high temperature plasma generators.

A novel plasma generation and containment system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a power source, and an electromagnet. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically coupled via a wire to form an open circuit. The voltage is asserted on the open circuit to form a spark between the first electrode and the second electrode to form a closed circuit. Then, a current is asserted on the closed circuit to form a plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electromagnet provides a magnetic field to contain and compress the plasma.

A nitric oxide generator generates nitric oxide from a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen such as air treated by a pulsating electrical discharge. The desired concentration of nitric oxide is obtained by controlling at least one of a frequency of the pulsating electrical discharge and duration of each electrical discharge pulse.

A hollow electrode assembly through which gas from a gas supply can pass and be effused across the casing of the electrode for supplying a gas for a plasma discharge. The gas passing the electrode goes from a higher gas pressure environment inside the electrode to a lower gas pressure environment on the outside of the electrode. The casing of the electrode through which the gas effuses can be a metal or metal allow which provides for a controlled flow of the gas through the wall. The flow rate of the gas can be controlled by one or more of the porosity of the metal or metal alloy used, the type of gas used, the pressure differential between the inside and outside of the electrode, and the temperature of the system. The electrode assembly can be used in and high temperature plasma generators.

A hollow electrode assembly through which gas from a gas supply can pass and be effused across the casing of the electrode for supplying a gas for a plasma discharge. The gas passing the electrode goes from a higher gas pressure environment inside the electrode to a lower gas pressure environment on the outside of the electrode. The casing of the electrode through which the gas effuses can be a metal or metal allow which provides for a controlled flow of the gas through the wall. The flow rate of the gas can be controlled by one or more of the porosity of the metal or metal alloy used, the type of gas used, the pressure differential between the inside and outside of the electrode, and the temperature of the system. The electrode assembly can be used in and high temperature plasma generators.