Publication: Innovative electric propulsion trends, concurrent mission design and enabling technologies for a bold CubeSat Lunar Positioning System
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2017
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Abstract
CubeSats have become exceedingly versatile satellite platforms over the last decade. However they are still limited by a lack of efficient propulsive means. A novel electric thruster based on Electron Cyclotron Resonance heating and Magnetic Nozzle acceleration may provide a suitable yet simple solution. This device, while currently providing 1000s Isp and 1 mN of thrust at 30W of power, may enable Lunar CubeSat missions from GEO using on-board propulsion. An example mission to provide GPS on the lunar surface using 3U CubeSats in a 60°:24/4/1 Walker constellation with a semi-major axis of 4000 km is proposed; a preliminary assessment of this mission, together with the satellite architecture and cost, is performed. Concurrent trajectory design for very-low-energy transfers is used to demonstrate the feasibility of the mission and its in uence on the space-craft design.
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Proceeding of: 35th International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC), October 8-12, 2017, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Keywords
Satellite platforms, CubeSat, Electric propulsion trends, Electric thrusters, Electron cyclotron resonance, ECR
Bibliographic citation
35th International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC), October 8-12, 2017, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 16 pp.