In the commercial telecommunication space arena, the strong competition among satellite manufacturers is a major driver for advancements in the area of Electric Propulsion (EP), where increasing better performance together with low prices are required. The use of Electric Propulsion will enable to use cheaper launchers or extend the life of current telecommunication spacecraft. Furthermore, new scientific and Earth observation missions dictate new challenging requirements for propulsion systems and components based on advanced technologies such as microNewton thrusters. Moreover, new interplanetary missions in the frame of exploration will require sophisticated propulsion systems to reach planets such as Mars and in some cases bring back to Earth samples from these planets. A future colonisation of Mars will require large cargo missions using Electric Propulsion. ESA is currently involved in activities related to spacecraft electric propulsion, from the basic research and development of conventional and new concepts to the manufacturing, AIV and flight control of the propulsion subsystems of several European satellites. The exploitation of the flight experience is also an important activity at ESA which will help mission designers to implement the lessons learnt to the development of these new propulsion systems. ESA missions such as GOCE, Smart-1 and Artemis have paved the way for the use of electric propulsion in future ESA missions: Lisa-pathfinder, Bepi Colombo, Small GEO, Alphabus, LISA, etc.


    Zugriff

    Zugriff über TIB

    Verfügbarkeit in meiner Bibliothek prüfen


    Exportieren, teilen und zitieren



    Titel :

    Review of ESA Experimental Research Activities for Electric Propulsion


    Beteiligte:

    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2011


    Format / Umfang :

    18 pages


    Medientyp :

    Report


    Format :

    Keine Angabe


    Sprache :

    Englisch