Electric propulsion systems for space MCQs – Aerospace

1. What is the primary advantage of electric propulsion systems for space missions?
(A) High thrust for rapid acceleration
(B) High specific impulse and efficiency
(C) Low power consumption
(D) Immediate thrust availability

2. How does an ion thruster generate thrust?
(A) By combusting a chemical propellant
(B) By expelling ionized propellant using electric fields
(C) By using solid rocket fuel
(D) By utilizing gravitational assist

3. What is the primary disadvantage of electric propulsion systems compared to chemical propulsion?
(A) Higher fuel consumption
(B) Lower thrust levels
(C) Increased spacecraft mass
(D) Shorter operational lifespan

4. What is the role of a Hall Effect thruster in electric propulsion?
(A) It uses nuclear energy to produce thrust
(B) It accelerates ions using an electric grid
(C) It ionizes and accelerates propellant using a magnetic field
(D) It stores energy for future propulsion

5. How does the specific impulse of electric propulsion compare to that of chemical propulsion systems?
(A) Lower than chemical propulsion
(B) Similar to chemical propulsion
(C) Higher than chemical propulsion
(D) Unrelated to efficiency

6. What is a key characteristic of a magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster?
(A) It provides high thrust at the expense of higher power consumption
(B) It uses nuclear fusion to generate thrust
(C) It operates without a power source
(D) It relies on gravitational pull to move

7. What type of power source is commonly used for electric propulsion systems?
(A) Liquid hydrogen fuel
(B) Solar panels or onboard power generators
(C) Chemical combustion engines
(D) Wind energy

8. What is the primary purpose of the ionization process in ion thrusters?
(A) To create heat for propulsion
(B) To convert the propellant into ions for acceleration
(C) To store energy for later use
(D) To stabilize the spacecraft’s orbit

9. How does the efficiency of an electric propulsion system impact spacecraft design?
(A) Increases fuel consumption
(B) Reduces spacecraft weight by requiring less propellant
(C) Requires larger fuel tanks
(D) Limits spacecraft speed

10. What is one major limitation of using electric propulsion systems for deep space missions?
(A) High fuel consumption
(B) Limited power generation capability
(C) Immediate acceleration capability
(D) Inability to operate in vacuum