Electric Propulsion

Thruster

Electric Propulsion
A set of component arranged to convert electrical power from the Spacecraft(S/C) power system into the kinetic energy of the propellant jet.

Major components

PPU(Power Processor Unit) Batteries Propellant S/C computer Thruster Plumbing Valves, Heaters

The Heart of system

Thruster

Thruster is not the upmost critical components even though it may seems to be The PPU and Valves system is the most complex and challenging EP components. - PPU : Control Unit - Valves : Usually no detail is shown.
Challenge Flow handled is very small(precise flow control) operation for prolonged period of time(months) leak free valve

Besides PPU and Plumbing, Thruster is the main concern

Thruster
1) Electrothermal (Resisto, Arcjet) . (Resistjet) . (Arcjet) Hydrazine , moderate thrust, relatively low specific impulse(500-1200) potential candidate : Well established physics (Actually in use for NSSK : North South Station Keeping, EWSK, orbit raising) . . Intermediate impulse(1500-2500), Xenon 3) Electromagnetic (MPD thruster)
(MagnetoPlasmaDynamic)

2) Electrostatic (ion thruster, Hall Thruster)

, Higher thrust , . (How much do we know about Plasma Physics ?)

Each type tailored to its specific need : Usually they are all for station-keeping, orbit raising(Low Earth orbit) and on-orbit maneuvering as well as drag compensation Main Objective : Toward a primary propulsion system

Table. 1 Operating range of electric-propulsion thrusters

Fig. 3 Operating ranges of electric-propulsion thrusters

Pros
large exhaust velocity, low consumption of propellant Applicability for Deep space main propulsion unit(MPD, Ion) For Ion, Hall : high Isp, high efficiency, broad regime of application For Arcjet : Still competent in Geo-stationary application For Arcjet : Occupies an intermediate place in the Isp

Cons
Low thrust of order of 0.1N Insufficient onboard electric power Adequate Vacuum facilities are essential to conduct research in EP (Especially for MPD) For MPD, and ion type thruster complex S/C integration problem, plume interaction

Table. 2 Typical Electric thruster features

Our concerns :
too many types and derivatives of EP as well as propellant choice for the feasibility study Selection of Low risk EP thruster ? If chosen, what would be the Application range & tailored type of EP that would match with Korea satellite development program ? Existence of Sufficient Market for us to penetrate ? Alternative : Joint work with Russia(Rich Experience on EP system)

Comments
For Hall, Ion, MPD type Too away behind US, Japan, EC Complexity(S/C integration, heavy PPU than electrothermal PPU, Plume angle problem.) Can we support those plasma related technology?? ( ) too risky For resistojet, Arcjet Feasible thruster relative to MPD, Hall type Conventional technology already available, and operational Low impulse Hydrazine arcjet and resistojet has still penetrable market (Increase of commercial LEO and GEO satellite) A Place for us in this niche market(US, Asia, EC, Japan) ? Competency would require joint international work (e.g., Russia) (Technology and Cost) Low risk

proposed EP Thruster
Hydrogen Arcjet
Electrothermal family (Still competent thruster type) Well Established physics (Affordable time to catch up) Unlike Hydrazine, performance gain of order 1500s or more Isp with hydrogen Broad range of application (from low to high Isp)

increased efficiency(thruster performance) achievable by regenerative cooling (& nozzle coating). Current available device: HIPARC-R Yet the inherent storage problem of hydrogen exist(cryogenic nature) However, this is everybodys concerns for all hydrogen fed propulsion device. (Alternative fuel: Ammonia, 800 Isp) Even for Solar & nuclear thrusters(with hydrogen) Isp limited to 800 s