Abstract
The mass ejection systems called also propulsion systems are used both for attitude and orbit control. The propulsion systems currently available or in development operate using a wide spectrum of propulsion methods. In this chapter we review the main propulsion systems with a specific attention to chemical and plasmic propulsion. The theory of these propulsion systems is explored in order to characterize the main performance parameters at system level.
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Notes
- 1.
We note that dinitrogen tetroxide, N\(_2\)O\(_4\), is also indicated as nitrogen tetroxide, NTO.
- 2.
The microwave range is usually referred to as that between 0.3 and 300 GHz. Typically, those used in these thrusters are UHF (ultra high frequency, in the range between 0.3 and 3 GHz (decimeter waves), and SHF (super high frequency), in the range between 3 and 30 GHz.
- 3.
The frequency beyond which the wave becomes evanescent is called the cutoff frequency.
- 4.
The Larmor radius of ions is much larger than that of electrons, thus as a first approximation the magnetic force on ions can be neglected.
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Mazzini, L. (2016). Spacecraft Propulsion. In: Flexible Spacecraft Dynamics, Control and Guidance. Springer Aerospace Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25540-8_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25540-8_8
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