IEC fusion thrusters for satellite maneuvering - actual experiments

[bananas]

http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/01/iec-thrusters-for-satellite-maneuvering.html

January 05, 2011
IEC thrusters for satellite maneuvering - actual experiments
Space Probe Application of IEC Thrusters

A novel plasma jet thruster, based on Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) technology, is under development for an ultra maneuverable - space thruster for satellite and small probe thrust operations. The IEC Jet design potential offers unique capability to cover a wide range of powers (few Watts to Kilowatts) with good efficiency while providing a plasma jet that can start with a large diameter but be narrowed directionally to focus on targets.

This is part of several lab experiments that are in progress related to a larger nuclear fusion space propulsion effort. They have lab work for the jet thrusting and there has been other lab work for other parts. Various grants funded different work over the last few decades. i put up a post on some lab work related to a satellite maneuvering thruster competitor using this tech and what they have not revealed the details of is a new system which will get ten times the thrust of Hall Thrusters. So Richard Dell Jr and George Miley are saying that they will within a few years (3-5 year ?) get to about (my guess) 2-3 Newtons with my guess of 1000-3000 ISP. I would guess that there is new lab work that provides justification for this case but not until the later this year or next year for the "breakthrough in small nuclear fusion" to firm up.

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Also:
Richard Dell Jr who is developing nuclear fusion propulsion is interviewed by Sander Olson http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/01/richard-dell-who-is-developing-nuclear.html
Reviewing the IEC fusion work mentioned in the George Miley Presentation http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/01/reviewing-iec-fusion-work-mentioned-in.html