Development of a novel wave plasma propulsion module with six-directional thrust vectoring capability

Abstract

Nowadays, the development of low Earth orbits’ (LEO) - up to 2000 km - small satellites (SSs) is of particular interest. Such SSs are supposed to use for effective telecommunication systems and advanced Earth research missions. When developing space missions of LEO SSs, designers and operators encounter a number of the following technical problems: an inability to use a single propulsion system for all flight operations, such as transfer from parking orbit to the target one, maneuvers between orbits, altitude control, orbit maintenance, attitude control, de-orbiting; a limited lifetime of conventional (Hall-Effect and Ion type) Electric Propulsion Systems (EPs) in low Earth orbits; high energy consumption of existing EPs; unloading of SSs' attitude control systems; de-orbiting of the SSs from the target orbit at the end of the active life to reduce contamination of LEO. The multidirectional electrodeless plasma thrusters could be the solution to overcome these problems. For example, such propulsion systems (PSs) can generate thrust in two directions. Using three bi-directional plasma thrusters in one PS, it is possible to create a plasma propulsion module with six thrust vectors that allows performing all of the SSs' space mission tasks where propulsion systems are needed while having a long-term service life in the upper atmosphere, low energy consumption – from 100 W, - and compact size – from 1U - which allows using this module on board of the SSs. This paper describes the first prototype of the six-directional plasma propulsion module. The focus of this paper is the study of the bi-directional wave plasma source with an open-ended gas discharge chamber and magnetic nozzles for plasma flow control – plasma flows acceleration and locking. The example of this source demonstrates the possibility of creating two thrust vectors using the single bi-directional wave plasma source and allows suggesting the creation of the six-directional wave plasma propulsion module for SSs.