Spaceflight
Propellant, plasma devices and heat shields for sustained spaceflight.
4 problemsSpace propulsion
Propulsion components that perform reliably under spacecraft operating conditions.
Collections
Browse collectionsA few problems to explore
3 totalIodine-compatible hollow cathodes
Iodine can fuel spacecraft thrusters. A hot electron source for higher-power systems must also survive the reactive iodine plasma.
Orbital cryogenic refueling
Moving cold propellant between tanks on one spacecraft has been demonstrated. Can two separate spacecraft connect and transfer it reliably in orbit?
Air-breathing electric propulsion
A very low satellite could scoop up the thin atmosphere and use it as electric-thruster propellant. Can the complete intake and thruster provide sustained thrust exceeding their own drag with available onboard power and no steady stored propellant supply?