Lifetime and SWaP Analysis of Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion vs. Traditional Electric Propulsion in VLEO

This study focuses on the lifetime and SWaP comparison of a satellite that utilizes Air Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) technology vs. traditional Xenon propelled satellite. ViridianÆs (patent pending) technology has been shown by analysis and numerical simulation to enable a viable satellite air scooping system, which was previously unachievable. ABEP technology uniquely enables the VLEO orbit regime for DoD and commercial operation. Our unique technology and flight envelope will require different SWaP considerations when compared to a traditional Xenon propelled satellite due to requirements levied by an ABEP system. Under this proposal, we will perform system level, parametric analysis of an ABEP system vs an equivalent Xenon system. In Phase I, we will develop a system level parametric analysis to compare a satellite capable of maintaining 200 km 300 km orbit using ABEP technology, against a similarly capable Xenon equipped system and conduct a commercialization study. Specifically, we will investigate power sizing, propulsion sizing, and overall system mass to determine the overall satellite lifetime and SWaP requirements. The most likely customers are Jonathan Allison AFRL/RVS, Col Joe Roth SSC/SZI and Dr. Seth Lacy AFRL/RVE.