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Xenon Gas in Electric Propulsion Systems

 

Inert xenon gas is commonly used as propellant in electric space propulsion systems:

 

 

  • Ion engines – Xenon gas is ionized and accelerated to high velocities by electric fields for efficient thrust.

  • Hall effect thrusters – Xenon ions and electrons generate plasma discharge that propels the spacecraft.

  • Field emission electric propulsion – Liquid xenon metal fed to field emitter array enables very high thrust density.

  • Resistojet thrusters – Heated xenon propellant provides low-thrust maneuvering capability.

  • Micro electrothermal thrusters – MEMS heaters vaporize tiny xenon droplets to produce micro-Newton plasma thrusts.

 

 

Xenon’s properties make it an ideal propellant for these electric propulsion technologies that are transforming satellite maneuvering capabilities.


Post time: Oct-08-2023