Tenders Are Invited For Vleo Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion In-Orbit Experiment

Tenders are invited for Vleo Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion in-Orbit Experiment The objective of the activity is to develop and carry out on ground tests as well as Very Low Earth orbit (VLEO) tests of a small-scale air-breathing electric propulsion system. The on ground test data and the in-orbit experiment in VLEO atmosphere will provide the necessary data in order to significantly improve the models of the plasma physics, thrust efficiency and ingestion. This will enable significant design improvements allowing to reach thrust efficiencies as needed to future VLEO platforms.Targeted Improvements:An order of magnitude improvement in the modelling accuracy and performance predictions for air-breathing electric propulsion thrusters operating in VLEO.Description: Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellites could enable very low latencies and direct to hand held satellite communication systems. However, the delta-V required to remain in orbit requires significant amount of propellant. Air-breathing electric propulsion could overcome this problem as the atmosphere is used as the propellant. The basic principle of air-breathing propulsion is well known, and first laboratory tests have been successful. However, the impact of the atmosphere, its composition as well as the parameters influencing the system efficiency, remain unknown (e.g., air intake efficiency).The goal of this in-orbit experiment is to test an Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) system in a VLEO space environment. Test results will enablethe design, development and test of ABEP systems as needed for future VLEO platforms. The main objectives are to measure the mass flow through the air intake and the corresponding efficiency in order to generate correlation data for atmospheric numerical models between in-orbit experiment results and ground test results and to measure the performance of the electric propulsion thruster in VLEO environment. The in-orbit satellite testbed will embark all the necessary sensors to measure atmospheric composition, density and pressure at different location in the ABEP system (e.g., atomic oxygen sensor, mass spectrometer for sensing species in freeflow). Theorbital lifetime of the mission shall allow for testing at different altitudes. The spacecraft shape shall be designed to ensure the minimum lifetime necessary to achieve the experimental objectives, given the uncertainty in the thrust. A second air-breathing electric propulsion system will be developed and tested on ground. Together with the flight data improved models of the plasma physics,thrust efficiency and ingestion will be developed. This will enable significant design improvements allowing thrust efficiencies needed to future VLEO platforms.Read more Tender Link : https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderActions/filter/open