A brief review of alternative propellants and requirements for pulsed plasma thrusters in micropropulsion applications

Ling, William Yeong Liang; Zhang, Song; Fu, Hao; Huang, Mengcheng; Quansah, Justin; Li, Xiangyang; Wang, Ningfei

doi:10.1016/j.cja.2020.03.024

Cited by 27 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) and Liquid perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) have been shown as possible alternatives. However ETFE exhibiting lower thrust-to-power ratio in comparison with traditional PTFE [101]. In order to investigate these new propellants properly, an understanding of the ablation process and plasma parameters is required.…”

Section: Pulsed Plasma Thrustersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electric Propulsion Methods for Small Satellites: A Review

2021

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Over 2500 active satellites are in orbit as of October 2020, with an increase of ~1000 smallsats in the past two years. Since 2012, over 1700 smallsats have been launched into orbit. It is projected that by 2025, there will be 1000 smallsats launched per year. Currently, these satellites do not have sufficient delta v capabilities for missions beyond Earth orbit. They are confined to their pre-selected orbit and in most cases, they cannot avoid collisions. Propulsion systems on smallsats provide orbital manoeuvring, station keeping, collision avoidance and safer de-orbit strategies. In return, this enables longer duration, higher functionality missions beyond Earth orbit. This article has reviewed electrostatic, electrothermal and electromagnetic propulsion methods based on state of the art research and the current knowledge base. Performance metrics by which these space propulsion systems can be evaluated are presented. The article outlines some of the existing limitations and shortcomings of current electric propulsion thruster systems and technologies. Moreover, the discussion contributes to the discourse by identifying potential research avenues to improve and advance electric propulsion systems for smallsats. The article has placed emphasis on space propulsion systems that are electric and enable interplanetary missions, while alternative approaches to propulsion have also received attention in the text, including light sails and nuclear electric propulsion amongst others.

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Section: Pulsed Plasma Thrustersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electric Propulsion Methods for Small Satellites: A Review

2021

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“…In chemical thruster, the exhaust velocity depends to thermal heating, which cannot reach very high magnitude. In a chemical thruster, the propellant is burned and the hot gas is expelled from the thruster with the help of a nozzle but in plasma thrusters the plasma expels without an explosion taking place [2,3,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. The performances of different types of electric thrusters have been discussed in Table 1.…”

Section: Main Classes Of Electric Thrustersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hollow cathodes are used in Hall thruster to provide electrons (with the help of DC electron-discharge plasma generator) to neutralize the body of the spacecraft (to manage spacecraft charging) as well to sustain the plasma discharge and. The hollow cathode are made up with refractory metal tube and lanthanum hexaboride [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. The cathode operates at 30 V to 40 V negative of the anode in a mercury thruster depending on the design consideration.…”

Section: Anode and Cathodementioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction to Plasma Based Propulsion System: Hall Thrusters

Singh¹,

Kumar²,

Meena³

et al. 2021

Propulsion - New Perspectives and Applications

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Technically, there are two types of propulsion systems namely chemical and electric depending on the sources of the fuel. Electrostatic thrusters are used for launching small satellites in low earth orbit which are capable to provide thrust for long time intervals. These thrusters consume less fuel compared to chemical propulsion systems. Therefore for the cost reduction interests, space scientists are interested to develop thrusters based on electric propulsion technology. This chapter is intended to serve as a general overview of the technology of electric propulsion (EP) and its applications. Plasma based electric propulsion technology used for space missions with regard to the spacecraft station keeping, rephrasing and orbit topping applications. Typical thrusters have a lifespan of 10,000 h and produce thrust of 0.1–1 N. These devices have E→×B→ configurations which is used to confine electrons, increasing the electron residence time and allowing more ionization in the channel. Almost 2500 satellites have been launched into orbit till 2020. For example, the ESA SMART-1 mission (Small Mission for Advanced Research in Technology) used a Hall thruster to escape Earth orbit and reach the moon with a small satellite that weighed 367 kg. These satellites carrying small Hall thrusters for orbital corrections in space as thrust is needed to compensate for various ambient forces including atmospheric drag and radiation pressure. The chapter outlines the electric propulsion thruster systems and technologies and their shortcomings. Moreover, the current status of potential research to improve the electric propulsion systems for small satellite has been discussed.

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“…Однако большинство ЭРД тяжело поддаются масштабированию в сторону уменьшения массогабаритных характеристик, так как теряется стабильность рабочего процесса в двигателе. К тому же, некоторые ЭРД не могут обеспечить постоянной готовности к работе [3]. Абляционный импульсный плазменный двигатель (АИПД) − перспективный тип ЭРД для наноспутников.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Влияние Химического Состава Рабочих Тел На Интегральное Сопротивление АИПД

Федорова¹,

Егошин²,

Pavlov³

et al. 2022

8th International Congress on Energy Fluxes and Radiation Effects

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В работе рассматриваются результаты экспериментальной отработки фторопласта и капролона в качестве рабочих тел в абляционном импульсном плазменном двигателе. Анализируется изменение характеристик двигателя с течением времени для двух рабочих тел. На основе полученных данных предлагается обоснование падения сопротивления цепи в случае использования капролона и роста сопротивления в случае использования фторопласта.

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A brief review of alternative propellants and requirements for pulsed plasma thrusters in micropropulsion applications

Cited by 27 publications

References 32 publications

Electric Propulsion Methods for Small Satellites: A Review

Electric Propulsion Methods for Small Satellites: A Review

Introduction to Plasma Based Propulsion System: Hall Thrusters

Влияние Химического Состава Рабочих Тел На Интегральное Сопротивление АИПД

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