Design and operational concept of a cryogenic active intake device for atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion

Abstract

The atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) system captures and compresses the atmosphere in very-low-Earth-orbit (VLEO). ABEP intake devices are classified into passive and active types. The passive intake device captures atmospheric gas through a rigid funnel-shaped geometry. However, its intake performance may need to be enhanced for feasible operation with electric propulsion systems. The active intake devices have been suggested adopting driving mechanisms to the passive intake devices for the intake performance improvement. This study introduces a novel concept of a cryogenic active intake device that employs a reservoir with cryopanels. The cryocondensation-regeneration active intake device (CRAID) condenses freestream gas particles onto cryopanels and regenerates them to be utilized as propellant. The operation of CRAID is numerically demonstrated using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. A phase change model is incorporated to simulate the condensation and regeneration processes. CRAID presents a significant improvement in intake performance compared to passive intake devices, exceeding the required conditions for the feasible operation of ABEP thrusters.