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The Use of Xenon in Spacecraft Propulsion Systems

 

    Xenon gas powers several key spacecraft propulsion systems that take advantage of its high molecular weight and inertness:

 

  • Ion thrusters – Xenon is ionized and accelerated electrically to high velocity, enabling efficient stationkeeping.

  • Hall effect thrusters – Xenon ions generate thrust for orbital maneuvers with minimal propellant usage.

  • Resistojet thrusters – Heated xenon gas provides low-thrust maneuvering for attitude control and orbital corrections.

  • Micropropulsion – MEMS thrusters use tiny xenon flows for fine orientation control of small satellites.

  • Satellite leak detection – Trace xenon accurately locates microleaks in propellant and other sealed spacecraft systems.

    Xenon gas makes an ideal propellant – it is inert, dense, easily stored as a liquid, and compatible with advanced electric space propulsion technologies.


Post time: Sep-20-2023