Open AccessPlasma propulsion for telecommunication satellites
Author(s) -
Luis Conde
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/1326/1/012001
Subject(s) - electrically powered spacecraft propulsion , aerospace engineering , propulsion , ion thruster , propellant , orbit (dynamics) , spacecraft , thrust , electric power , geocentric orbit , satellite , arcjet rocket , spacecraft propulsion , physics , power (physics) , environmental science , engineering , quantum mechanics
Electric thrusters are used for in-space propulsion of spacecraft for a combination of practical and economic reasons. These devices that use electric power to accelerate the mass flow of the propellant at exhaust velocities are one or two order of magnitude faster than those achieved in conventional chemical propulsion. This feature results in significant propellant savings that allows longer mission times and heavier payloads, however, the thrusts achieved are lower for important electric power consumptions. The different electric thrusters that are currently used in Europe for both in-orbit corrections and also for orbit raising to the operational orbit from the separation stage of the launcher will be introduced. This propulsion system also serves to expel these vehicles from their orbit at the end of their useful life to control the increase of space debris in Earth orbit. Additionally, the characteristics of new low-power electric engines with thrust levels in the range 0.1-10 mN and electric power consumptions below 500 W will be discussed. These are required for flight formation, orbital corrections and end-of-life disposal in the new constellations of small satellites in low Earth orbit intended for planetary internet coverage and interactive television services.