Analysis and prospect of key factors to improve the performance of air-breathing electric propulsion systems in China

Spacecraft operating in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) enjoy significant performance advantages. However, the operational lifespan is severely limited by the additional propellant requirements due to the rarefied atmospheric drag. The air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) system collects sparse atmospheric particles within the orbit to provide propellant for the thruster. Therefore, it can compensate for air resistance for satellites and can fundamentally solve the problem of propellant demand. The development of VLEO satellites is closely related to the overall design and the performance of core components such as air intakes and electric thrusters. The development of each part restricts the overall development of the satellites. This review summarizes the research progress of air-breathing electric propulsion systems in China and focuses on the key issues such as ABEP system design, satellite drag reduction, gas surface interactions (GSI), material properties and ABEP inlet internal flow evolution mechanism faced in the development of VLEO satellites technologies. In addition, some suggestions are presented for the future development direction of air-breathing electric propulsion system.