On the Feasibility of using the Interplanetary Solar Wind Plasma Flow to Generate Electricity for Spacecraft

This paper explores the feasibility of a different method of power generation for spacecraft with a higher power density per weight and volume than conventional forms of spacecraft electrical power generation. The flow of interplanetary space plasma ions, when guided through a perpendicular magnetic field, can generate voltage that is picked up by electrode plates using a process known as Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) generation. This results in an electrical current that could be used to power space-based orbiting satellites, probes, stations, habitations, and interplanetary missions to charge batteries, power communications, propulsion, guidance, navigation and control