Parametric study on the flight envelope of a radio-frequency ion thruster based atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system

The atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) system utilizes atmospheric species as propellants to generate thrust for drag compensation of a satellite in very-low-Earth-orbit (VLEO). A parametric approach is used to assess the impact of different parameters on the flight envelope of a sample VLEO satellite with an ABEP system based on a radio-frequency ion thruster (RIT). The considered parameters include capture efficiency, maximum input power, solar activity, and atomic oxygen recombination factor. The NRLMSIS 2.0 atmosphere model is used to determine the flow conditions at VLEO, at a target altitude of 150-300 km with high, moderate, and low solar activity levels. DSMC method is employed to calculate the drag of the sample satellite with the ABEP system. The 0-D model of the RIT discharge chamber is used to predict the thrust of the RIT-based ABEP system. The flight envelope of a sample RIT-based ABEP system shows that drag can be compensated at altitudes between 196 km and 248 km. Increasing capture efficiency and maximum input power expands the feasible range for drag compensation to higher and lower altitudes, respectively. Also, the flight envelope shifts to higher altitudes with increasing solar activity levels. However, the atomic oxygen recombination factor of the intake device has minimal effects on the flight envelope.