The performance of a magnetohydro-dynamic re-entry vehicle channel

The performance of a magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) channel is discussed. Solutions of the MHD equations are evaluated through the channel as a function of inlet Mach number, voltage parameter, magnetic-interaction parameter, and channel aspect ratio. The over-all performance of a re-entry vehicle channel throughout the trajectory is described for various vehicle applications as a function of the trajectory, the channel, and the vehicle geometry. Various design aspects are discussed including the coil channel, electrodes, seeding requirements, Hall and ion slip effects. A typical MHD channel and coil design is included.