advances on the inductive plasma thruster design for an atmosphere-breathing ep system
- Paper number
IAC-18,C4,6,4,x46387
- Author
Mr. Francesco Romano, Germany, Institute of Space Systems, Universität Stuttgart
- Coauthor
Prof.Dr. Georg Herdrich, Germany, Institute of Space Systems, Universität Stuttgart
- Coauthor
Mr. Adam Boxberger, Germany, University of Stuttgart
- Coauthor
Dr. Peter C.E Roberts, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Dr. Silvia Rodriguez-Donaire, Spain, UPC-BarcelonaTECH
- Coauthor
Dr. Daniel Garcia-Almiñana, Spain, UPC-BarcelonaTECH
- Coauthor
Dr. Miquel Sureda, Spain, UPC-BarcelonaTECH
- Coauthor
Dr. Nicholas H. Crisp, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Dr. Steve Edmondson, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Dr. Sarah Haigh, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Mrs. Rachel Lyons, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Vitor Oiko, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Dr. Katharine Smith, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Ms. Sabrina Livadiotti, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester
- Coauthor
Dr. Jonathan Becedas, Spain, Elecnor Deimos Satellite Systems
- Coauthor
Mr. Gerardo González, Spain, Elecnor Deimos Satellite Systems
- Coauthor
Ms. Rosa María Domínguez, Spain, Elecnor Deimos Satellite Systems
- Coauthor
Mr. Leonardo Ghizoni, Denmark, GomSpace ApS
- Coauthor
Mr. Victor Jungnell, Denmark, GomSpace ApS
- Coauthor
Mr. Kristian Bay, Denmark, GomSpace ApS
- Coauthor
Dr. Jonas Morsbøl, Denmark, GomSpace ApS
- Coauthor
Mr. Tilman Binder, Germany, University of Stuttgart
- Coauthor
Prof. Stefanos Fasoulas, Germany, University of Stuttgart
- Coauthor
Mrs. Dhiren Kataria, United Kingdom, Mullard Space Science Laboratory
- Coauthor
Dr. Ron Outlaw, United States
- Coauthor
Mrs. Rachel Villain, France, Euroconsult
- Coauthor
Mr. Jose Santiago Perez, France, Euroconsult
- Coauthor
Mr. Alexis Conte, France, Euroconsult
- Coauthor
Ms. Badia Belkouchi, France, Euroconsult
- Coauthor
Ms. Barbara Heißerer, Germany, concentris research management gmbh
- Coauthor
Ms. Ameli Schwalber, Germany, concentris research management gmbh
- Year
2018
- Abstract
Challenging space mission scenarios include those in very low Earth orbits, where the atmosphere creates significant drag to the S/C and forces their orbit to an early decay. For drag compensation, propulsion systems are needed, requiring propellant to be carried on-board. An atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system (ABEP) ingests the residual atmosphere through an intake and uses it as propellant for an electric thruster. Theoretically applicable to any planet with atmosphere, the system might allow drag compensation for an unlimited time without carrying propellant. A new range of altitudes for continuous operation would become accessible, enabling new scientific missions while reducing the required effort for the launcher by achieving these low orbits. Preliminary studies have shown that the collectible propellant flow for an ion thruster (in LEO) might not be enough, and that electrode erosion due to aggressive gases, such as atomic oxygen, will limit the thruster's lifetime. In this paper we present the advances on the design of an inductive plasma thruster (IPT) for the ABEP. The IPT is based on a small-scale inductively heated plasma generator IPG6-S. IPG have the advantage of being electrodeless, and have already shown high electric-to-thermal coupling efficiencies using $O_2$ and $CO_2$ as propellant. IPG6-S requires a scaling of the discharge channel to meet with power requirement and expected collected mass flows, as well as optimisation of the accelerating stage, to provide the required thrust to the spacecraft. Tests have been performed to verify some of the parameters and are as well presented within this paper.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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