A propulsion system for a spacecraft includes a thrust generator for producing thrust to move the spacecraft. A propellant storage unit is in fluid communication with the thrust generator. A control assembly is in communication with the spacecraft. The control assembly includes a propellant management assembly configured to adjust a supply of propellant from the storage unit to the thrust generator. A controller is configured to control the propellant management assembly. The control assembly is configured to selectively operate the thrust generator in a first mode in which the thrust generator uses propellant to electrostatically generate thrust, and a second mode in which the thrust generator uses propellant to gas-dynamically generate thrust.
PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR SPACECRAFT
2023-05-18
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
Springer Verlag | 2015
|NTIS | 1993