Features of using plasma flows to compensate the aerodynamic drag of mini-satellites moving in the ionosphere

Abstract

The possibilities of using plasma flows formed in electric jet engines (EJE) are considered. One of the variants of the EJE construction are ion sources with multi-cell ion-optical systems used to compensate the aerodynamic drag of mini-satellites in the Earth’s ionosphere with the aim of ensuring long-term operation of the latter at low flight altitudes (∼180–220 km). The analysis of methods of simulation of the operation of such engines together with air intakes under ground conditions is given. The possibility of using plasma-ion sources producing molecular beams of nitrogen or air ions with low (orbital) flight speeds as a source of the free flow in the simulations is considered. A source with volumetric ionization of the working gas and electron oscillation in the magnetic field in a chamber between the walls held at the cathode potential and a large multi-cell aperture of the ion–optical system is used to create the flow. The results of the studies of the operation of a plasma–ion engine (PIE) together with air intake obtained by the gas-dynamic simulation method are presented. The possibility of a high performance of the engine under non-standard conditions is shown. It is found that a stable operation of the PIE can be realized at pressures of 6⋅10−5–10−4 Torr in its chamber, which is important for matching the engine with the air intake.