Sbir phase i: air-breathing electric propulsion

This $274,951 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (CFDA 47.084) program supports the research and development of an air-breathing electric propulsion system for reusable satellites by Viridian Space Corporation. The proposed system uses an electric propulsion thruster and an air scoop to collect atmospheric air, enabling satellites to refuel directly from the Earth's atmosphere. This technology aims to create reusable satellites that can operate at significantly lower altitudes than current satellites, providing improved Earth observation and broadband communication capabilities. Additionally, the proposed space tugs would be able to perform servicing missions and then descend to refuel, reducing the need for powerful chemical rockets. This award reflects NSF's mission to advance science and engineering research and innovation leading to breakthrough technologies and solutions to national and societal challenges.

Abstract

The broader impact/commercial potential of this small business innovation research (sbir) phase i project is to create reusable satellites that can refuel directly from the earth?s atmosphere. These satellites will have two key advantages over the existing satellites. First, they will fly significantly lower than current satellites providing superior earth observation and satellite broadband communication quality. Second, they will enable refuellable space tugs that can perform a servicing mission and then descend into the atmosphere to refuel. Furthermore, by flying in these low orbits, satellites will naturally DE-orbit at the end of life and leave orbits uncluttered. Finally, the proposed space tugs will reduce the need for powerful chemical rockets (for both launch and in-space maneuvers). This sbir phase i project proposes to investigate satellite air-breathing electric propulsion. While technologies necessary to enable air-breathing electric propulsion have been maturing for the last few decades, a viable system has not yet been demonstrated. This project will address the last remaining technological GAP to enable a viable air-breathing electric propulsion system that will unlock access to ultra-low earth orbits (uleo), between 200 KM and 300 KM. The propulsion system consists of an electric propulsion thruster, such as a hall effect thruster (HET) and an air-scoop that collects atmospheric air. This proposed project presents the first step in developing such a system. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.