PAMK Drive: Impedance-Matched Alfvénic MHD space propulsion

PAMK Drive: Impedance-Matched Alfvénic MHD Propulsion The PAMK Drive introduces a novel concept of impedance-matched Alfvénic propulsion, enabling controlled magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) coupling between magnetic fields and plasma flows.This system measures in-situ plasma parameters — density (ρ), velocity (v), and upstream magnetic field (Bᵤ) — and calculates an Alfvénic set-point Btarget=vμ0ρB_{target} = v\sqrt{μ₀ρ}Btarget=vμ0ρ corresponding to an Alfvén Mach number MA=1M_A = 1MA=1.It then modulates coil currents and field topology to maintain MA≈1M_A≈1MA≈1 through a feedback control law, achieving optimal coupling between plasma flow and magnetic field. Thrust is maximized through a symmetric impedance law φ(MA)=4MA/(1+MA)2,φ(M_A) = 4M_A / (1 + M_A)²,φ(MA)=4MA/(1+MA)2, which peaks at MA=1M_A = 1MA=1, combined with a kinetic correction K(χ)=1−exp⁡[−(χ/χ0)α],K(χ) = 1 − \exp[−(χ/χ₀)^α],K(χ)=1−exp[−(χ/χ0)α], that ensures valid MHD regime operation when the standoff radius exceeds ion kinetic scales. Embodiments include segmented coil arrays, rotating magnetic fields (RMF) for magnetospheric inflation, and low-power plasma seeding for density regulation.Applications range from nanosatellite demonstrations and magnetic sails to deep-space braking and hybrid plasma propulsion systems. This document includes the official USPTO electronic filing receipt (Provisional Application No. 63/873,755, filed September 1, 2025) followed by the full technical specification, figures, and draft claims.It is published for scientific dissemination and reference, consistent with REGENEVIA LLC’s open-science policy under the Cosmos Dynamics – PAMK Research Program.

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2025-09-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17445239
Primary Topic
Spacecraft Dynamics and Control
Type
article
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article

PAMK Drive: Impedance-Matched Alfvénic MHD space propulsion

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Spacecraft Dynamics and Control
article

PAMK Drive: Impedance-Matched Alfvénic MHD space propulsion

article en

Abstract

PAMK Drive: Impedance-Matched Alfvénic MHD Propulsion The PAMK Drive introduces a novel concept of impedance-matched Alfvénic propulsion, enabling controlled magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) coupling between magnetic fields and plasma flows.This system measures in-situ plasma parameters — density (ρ), velocity (v), and upstream magnetic field (Bᵤ) — and calculates an Alfvénic set-point Btarget=vμ0ρB_{target} = v\sqrt{μ₀ρ}Btarget=vμ0ρ corresponding to an Alfvén Mach number MA=1M_A = 1MA=1.It then modulates coil currents and field topology to maintain MA≈1M_A≈1MA≈1 through a feedback control law, achieving optimal coupling between plasma flow and magnetic field. Thrust is maximized through a symmetric impedance law φ(MA)=4MA/(1+MA)2,φ(M_A) = 4M_A / (1 + M_A)²,φ(MA)=4MA/(1+MA)2, which peaks at MA=1M_A = 1MA=1, combined with a kinetic correction K(χ)=1−exp⁡[−(χ/χ0)α],K(χ) = 1 − \exp[−(χ/χ₀)^α],K(χ)=1−exp[−(χ/χ0)α], that ensures valid MHD regime operation when the standoff radius exceeds ion kinetic scales. Embodiments include segmented coil arrays, rotating magnetic fields (RMF) for magnetospheric inflation, and low-power plasma seeding for density regulation.Applications range from nanosatellite demonstrations and magnetic sails to deep-space braking and hybrid plasma propulsion systems. This document includes the official USPTO electronic filing receipt (Provisional Application No. 63/873,755, filed September 1, 2025) followed by the full technical specification, figures, and draft claims.It is published for scientific dissemination and reference, consistent with REGENEVIA LLC’s open-science policy under the Cosmos Dynamics – PAMK Research Program.

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Spacecraft Dynamics and Control
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