The Electric Sail (E-Sail) is an innovative space propulsion concept relying on the solar wind momentum for producing thrust through the interaction of solar wind protons with a number of very long, electrically charged tethers. With such long wires, centrifugal force alone is not sufficient to ensure complete deployment of the assembly. Therefore, small thrusters are needed to increase/decrease the angular velocity and, accordingly, determine centrifugal force during tether deployment. In consideration of the stringent requirements of E-Sail, a variant of the Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP) system has been selected, based on the use of ionic liquids as propellant, instead of alkali metals. This paper discusses the unique challenges posed by the development of the E-Sail Remote Unit thruster system. The envisaged simplified ionic liquid FEEP has a large potential for utilization on a variety of micro- and nano- satellite platforms, from Cubesats to Earth observation small satellites, to future scientific missions
Development of a Miniaturized Electric Propulsion System for the E-Sail Project
MARCUCCIO, SALVO;
2011-01-01
Abstract
The Electric Sail (E-Sail) is an innovative space propulsion concept relying on the solar wind momentum for producing thrust through the interaction of solar wind protons with a number of very long, electrically charged tethers. With such long wires, centrifugal force alone is not sufficient to ensure complete deployment of the assembly. Therefore, small thrusters are needed to increase/decrease the angular velocity and, accordingly, determine centrifugal force during tether deployment. In consideration of the stringent requirements of E-Sail, a variant of the Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP) system has been selected, based on the use of ionic liquids as propellant, instead of alkali metals. This paper discusses the unique challenges posed by the development of the E-Sail Remote Unit thruster system. The envisaged simplified ionic liquid FEEP has a large potential for utilization on a variety of micro- and nano- satellite platforms, from Cubesats to Earth observation small satellites, to future scientific missionsI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
