Cryogenic propellant storage for high power plasma propulsion

摘要

Space exploration beyond low earth orbit requires a breakthrough in propulsion technology. Recent emergence of electric propulsion for earth orbiting satellites shows the potential of this technology, but sending humans to the moon or mars will require much more powerful motors than currently available. Such missions require a very high amount of energy to be transformed by the motor, thus high amounts of propellant. Large electric or plasma propulsion motors will represent a very big asset and in orbit reusability will be required. This implies the capability to refuel spacecraft. An extremely interesting way to optimize propellant system is to use cryogenic storage, liquid or solid. Such storage technologies have been studied by Air Liquide, with trade-off performed between propellant to be used (Xenon, krypton or argon) and gaseous, liquid or solid state. Moreover, challenges posed by on ground and in orbit operations have been addressed. The paper presents main takeaways of this study.