The Scientific Phoenix; UE EngStartUp, academic year 2013-2014

ESA will start developing Electric Propulsion Satelites


Well, you might be thinking that this is not much of a deal, as we've known this technology for quite a while. The first idea of Electric Propulsion Engines for spacecraft actually dates back to 1906, but it wasn't until 1964 when NASA actually tested this technology on the SERT-1 (Space Electric Rocket Test) spacecraft.

The "Electra Project" is the name that the ESA (European Space Agency) gave to this plan and embraces both the development of the platform and the flight of a mission which will be defined by the satellite operator. The mission will be decided on 2014 and the launch on 2018, so we'll be waiting for it a bit until we see this gustatory satellite actually working in telecommunications up in the sky...

So, how does it work and what are the advantages of this new method of propelling the satellites? Well, Electric Propulsion engines work either by electrically expelling propellant at high speeds, or by using long conducting wires which convert kinetic energy to electrical energy, which are called EDTs (Electrodynamics Tethers). What is new about this "new generation of satellites" is that they are propelled by solar electric thrusters.

There are many other ways of Electric Propulsion that have been known for a long time such as ion/plasma drives, electromagnetic, electrostatic or electro thermal propulsion, but Solar Electric Propulsion is a new method which has many advantages, and a few disadvantages, over other types of propulsion. First of all this new method of propulsion will reduce fuel consumption, so therefore reducing launch mass by about 40%. This allows payloads to be as twice as large or the use of smaller launch vehicles. Another advantage of Electric Propulsion over chemical rockets is that they typically offer a much higher thrust duration per unit weight of propellant compared to chemical rockets. A disadvantage of Electric Propulsion is that its thrust is much weaker than the one of chemical rockets, but this is compensated as they do a small thrust for a longer period of time.

I think this new way of propelling spacecraft its actually quite good and effective also, and will allow to have larger payloads, which will be extremely useful in space missions. What do you guys think about this new scientific advance? Please let me know in the comments below!

See you soon!