A.I. Erofeev , A.S. Filatyev , A.A. Golikov , S.A. Khartov , A.P. Nikiforov , G.A. Popov , M.O. Suvorov , O.V. Yanova
DOI Number XXX-YYY-ZZZ
Conference Number HiSST 2018_27401035
The paper presents the results of solving a number of problems for the practical implementation of the concept of air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) using gases of the surrounding atmosphere as a propellant. Conditions for long term existence of spacecraft (SC) with ABEP in low Earth orbits, including areas of preferable using the ABEP as compared to traditional electric propulsion, were determined in terms of generalized parameters, combining characteristics of SC, ABEP, power sources and target orbits. On the basis of the developed physic-mathematical model of mass transfer processes the possibility of creating a working gas density in the ABEP ionization chamber, hundreds of times greater than the density of the environment, is shown. A developed laboratory model of the ABEP thrust unit according to the radio-frequency ion thruster scheme is presented. The synthesis of the optimal control of the ABEP thrust vector was obtained for SC maintenance in a given orbit and the fastest change of orbit’s parameters (apogee altitude and orbit inclination).