Plasmastream Thruster

The Plasmastream Thruster (aka Helicon Drive) is a large ship-based propulsion version of the Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster.

Description & Characteristics
In order to improve the range and deployment time of Federation ships, a "fuel-less" alternative to chemical engines was required. Prior to the development of Storm Drive technology, the Deuterium Fusion Plants of space ships could not normally sustain plasma-based propulsion except in specially designed craft. However, the ample power provided by the new reactors made this concept far more feasible.

Plasmastream Thrusters use a Helicon double-layer design, an advanced plasma propulsion design that uses radio waves to heat gas into a plasma state, exciting the Helicon wave within it to create an even hotter plasma. Once created, plasma is repelled outwards through the exhaust, propelling the ship forwards and forming a current-free electric double layer. The high voltage plasma of the acceleration chamber helps to repel plasma across the double layer to become low voltage plasma in the thruster exhaust, creating an electrically neutral plasma exhaust. This prevents the ship from becoming charged itself and does not need a cathode neutralizer, unlike the MPD Thruster.

When active, Plasmastream Thrusters produce a constant trail of superheated plasma, which makes it easily visible on infrared sensors. However, the thrusters are not designed for stealth operations, rendering this flaw less of an issue. This engine design is also more powerful than MPD and Electrostatic Ion Thruster, while being simpler in design as well. As an added convenience, the Plasmastream Thrusters can use a vast range of propellants to generate plasma, thanks to its neutral discharge. Typically a blend of various gases are used, depending on the ship design, such as noble gases, scavenged carbon dioxide from life support and Helium 4 produced by the fusion plants of Storm Drives.

Core Components

 * Acceleration Chamber
 * The thruster's acceleration chamber uses a radio antenna to excite gas into a plasma, and contain it with specifically placed magnetic field generators. By limiting how much plasma can escape the chamber, the ship's acceleration can be finely controlled.


 * Fuel Source
 * A supply of ionising fuel is required in order to be accelerated and provide thrust.


 * Power Source
 * In order to produce a plasma from the fuel source, a large amount of constant power is required, usually provided by a Storm Array.

Notes & Trivia

 * The Plasmastream Thruster is based on the Helicon double-layer thruster, but is far larger.