Current progress in the development of an ECR plasma source for atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216305%3A26220%2F26%3A0200652" target="_blank" >RIV/00216305:26220/26:0200652 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12567-026-00700-8" target="_blank" >https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12567-026-00700-8</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12567-026-00700-8" target="_blank" >10.1007/s12567-026-00700-8</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Current progress in the development of an ECR plasma source for atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system

Original language description

Abstract This contribution reports on the experimental demonstration of plasma ignition in an electron-cyclotron-resonance atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion source at pressures representative of very low Earth orbit. Using a MHz-range birdcage resonator in combination with a tailored magnetic field, we achieved sustained plasma discharge at pressures consistent with conditions expected after intake compression at altitudes near 200 km. The scalability of the birdcage resonator with increasing forward power is explored, revealing the potential for future improvement regarding power scaling of the thruster. These findings identify both the feasibility of electrodeless ignition at VLEO pressures, and the engineering limits imposed by resonator heating. We further discuss quantitative links between measured ion currents, estimated thrust, and extraction efficiency. Our results establish critical design insights for scaling ABEP technology toward flight-ready operation.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

20304 - Aerospace engineering

Project

<a href="/en/project/FW06010622" target="_blank" >FW06010622: Scalable ionizer for space technologies and laboratory applications</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2026

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

CEAS Space Journal

ISSN

1868-2502

e-ISSN

1868-2510

Volume of the periodical

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Issue of the periodical within the volume

January

Country of publishing house

AT - AUSTRIA

Number of pages

9

Pages from-to

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UT code for WoS article

001671763000001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

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