A brief review of both near-term and far-term platforms proposed for near-space operations is given. The primary focus of the paper is, however, a review of potential advanced propulsion systems for such long-duration near- space platforms. The basic requirements for near-space propulsion systems are defined. Low Reynolds number propellers, the current workhorse, are used as a baseline for comparison. Two broad classifications are identified as potential sources of force in near space: rarefied gas and electric propulsion. Radiometric force propulsion systems, the only candidate propulsion systems found in the open literature, suffer from both significant uncertainty in their underlying physics and from significant operational difficulties. Thermal transpiration propulsion systems were shown fundamentally incapable of providing the required performance. Air-breathing electric propulsion systems for long-duration near-space missions will be significantly different than their in-space counterparts with specific impulses likely under 100s. Electrohydrodynamics propulsion systems show some promise, but have thus far shown limited thrust efficiency at sea level operation, and the efficiency is only predicted to get lower at higher altitudes. The potential effects of systems based on breakthrough physics are also qualitatively discussed.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Overview of Advanced Concepts for Near-Space Systems


    Contributors:
    M. Young (author) / S. Keith (author) / A. Pancotti (author)

    Publication date :

    2009


    Size :

    19 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    An Overview of Advanced Concepts for Near Space Systems

    Young, Marcus / Keith, Stephanie / Pancotti, Anthony | AIAA | 2009


    Overview of Advanced Concepts for Space Access

    Ketsdever, Andrew D. / Young, Marcus P. / Mossman, Jason B. et al. | AIAA | 2010


    Overview of Advanced Concepts for Space Access

    Ketsdever, A D | Online Contents | 2010



    An Overview of Advanced Concepts for Space Access

    Ketsdever, Andrew / Young, Marcus / Pancotti, Anthony et al. | AIAA | 2008