Maintaining Continuous Low Orbit Flight by Using In-Situ Atmospheric Gases for Propellant

Abstract

An analysis is performed to determine the requirements for spacecraft propulsion systems operating in free-molecule flow and employing ambient atmospheric neutral gas as a propellant. It is concluded that some form of electric propulsion is required and the requirements for an electrostatic thruster system to be applied for this purpose are also discussed. An example thruster system based on an orbitron electrostatic electron trap is evaluated in several modes of operation. The selected configurations are shown to be unable to provide in any obvious way the required ionization fractions. The technological and physical limits that require solutions for this type of device are discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 09, 2000
Accession Number
ADA409086

Entities

People

  • E. P. Muntz
  • Joseph Wang
  • Marcus Young

Organizations

  • University of Southern California

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Circular Orbits
  • Computational Science
  • Electric Fields
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Electrons
  • Elliptical Orbits
  • Engineering
  • Ionization Chambers
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Orbits
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Space Charge
  • Spacecraft
  • Thrusters
  • Trajectories
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Rocket Propulsion.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster