Scientists at the Moscow Aviation Institute, together with colleagues from the Samara National Research University named after Academician S. P. Korolev, have developed a new pulsed plasma engine powered by a gaseous working fluid designed for nanosatellites weighing up to 10 kg. Currently, a laboratory sample of the device and its mathematical model have been created.
— Modern space technologies are increasingly relying on small technical devices. They are used for Earth sensing, communications, and scientific experiments. Jet engines make it possible to increase their functionality by increasing maneuverability, as well as extend the life of such vehicles in orbit, compensating for their deceleration in the upper atmosphere. However, strict restrictions on weight, volume and onboard power complicate the placement of power plants on small satellites," explained Svyatoslav Gordeev, head of the research group, senior engineer at Department 13 of the MAI Research Institute of Applied Mechanics and Electrodynamics and associate professor at Department 208 of the Institute No. 2 "Aviation, Rocket Engines and Power Plants".
According to him, the advantage of gases (unlike traditional solid working media, for example, fluoroplastics) is in the flexible layout of the propulsion system. In particular, a tank with a gaseous substance can be placed in any free cavity of the satellite by connecting it to the engine with flexible tubes. This makes it possible to significantly increase the supply of working fluid on board within the limited volume of the spacecraft.
According to the developer, the basis of the design of the new engine is a high—speed solenoid valve containing a thin movable membrane. When a short current pulse is applied, the electromagnet creates a field that pushes the membrane away from the sealing seat, letting a portion of gas into the engine channel. Then the pressure of the working medium quickly returns the membrane to its place.
— The idea of the engine is the development of developments in the field of creating plasma accelerators in devices for studying controlled thermonuclear fusion. Unlike its predecessors, in the proposed scheme, the membrane is made of ferromagnetic material. This increases the efficiency of the valve, as the electromagnetic field is amplified in the membrane material," said Svyatoslav Gordeev.
In addition, the absence of elements rubbing against each other significantly increases the reliability of the system and the durability of the mechanisms, he added. At the same time, electromagnetic field control ensures high performance and low power consumption.
According to calculations and data from field experiments, the frequency of gas supply pulses in the new installation in space will be 1-2 Hz. Such an engine will be able to withstand more than a million valve opening and closing cycles without degradation of the main mechanisms, which allows the orbiters to perform up to 300 hours of active maneuvers.
This power reserve makes it possible to solve a wide range of practical problems in near-Earth space, the scientist commented. In particular, turning on the engines will allow nanosatellites to increase their altitude from time to time. The power plants will also help to distribute nanosatellites in orbit after launch and adjust their position as part of space groups.
— The development makes it possible to use different types of gaseous working fluids, adjusting the engine parameters to specific space tasks. Initially, the engine was designed with the expectation of using nitrogen. This gas has shown good supply stability and predictable flow rate," explained Svyatoslav Gordeev.
In the next stages, the developers switched to krypton, a heavy inert gas that provides a higher level of thrust and efficient acceleration of particles in the plasma channel. Xenon was also considered as a working medium.
In the future, scientists intend to explore the possibility of using other gases that are promising for pulsed plasma engines, as well as conduct comprehensive tests of the sample in conditions as close as possible to space flight. The development was carried out with the support of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.
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