SPS Seminar - Electric space propulsion

When:  Thursday 20^th May at 14.00

Where:  Microsoft Teams - Online

Speaker:  Prof Pascal Chabert (CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris)

Hosted by: Andrew James

Abstract:

Until very recently, commercial satellites were fairly large platforms equipped with chemical engines for orbit raising and station keeping. However, since 2012, electric space propulsion is taking over. These engines provide low thrust, but are extremely efficient for mass utilization, because of the very high speed at which the propellant is expelled. The talk will present the current research effort carried out internationally to improve this technology, in the context of (i) small satellites and probes being launched in constellations, (ii) large cargo missions for space exploration.