Which of these is the best propulsion for Von Neumann probes?

[Michael_123_]

I know that ramscoop designs are no longer considered feasible. Which of the following would be best, and how might it work in this context?

-Vaporizing liquid micro-thruster

-Laser ablation plasma

Electrothermal resistojets

Edited July 2, 2023 by Michael_123_

[exchemist]

7 hours ago, Michael_123_ said:

I know that ramscoop designs are no longer considered feasible. Which of the following would be best, and how might it work in this context?

-Vaporizing liquid micro-thruster

-Laser ablation plasma

Electrothermal resistojets

What is an “electrothermal resistojet”?

[swansont]

Vaporizing liquid microthruster

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924424799003891

“Experimental testing produced thruster force magnitudes ranging from 0.15 mN to a maximum force output of 0.46 mN”

That’s not very much thrust.

AFAIK resistojets are used for station-keeping, not propulsion.

 

Why does it have to be a Non Neumann probe? Is that in any way relevant?

17 minutes ago, exchemist said:

What is an “electrothermal resistojet”?

https://beyondnerva.com/resistojet-electrothermal-thrusters/

[Michael_123_]

7 minutes ago, swansont said:

Why does it have to be a Non Neumann probe? Is that in any way relevant?

 

I've read several papers on Von Neumann probes recently and I'm interested in exploring what propulsion system they might use.

[swansont]

1 hour ago, Michael_123_ said:

I've read several papers on Von Neumann probes recently and I'm interested in exploring what propulsion system they might use.

It’s likely that the propulsion system, like these probes, has not yet been realized.

[exchemist]

12 hours ago, swansont said:

Vaporizing liquid microthruster

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924424799003891

“Experimental testing produced thruster force magnitudes ranging from 0.15 mN to a maximum force output of 0.46 mN”

That’s not very much thrust.

AFAIK resistojets are used for station-keeping, not propulsion.

 

Why does it have to be a Non Neumann probe? Is that in any way relevant?

https://beyondnerva.com/resistojet-electrothermal-thrusters/

Thanks.