Space drones round trips to the moon: how are they possible?
July 19 @ 17:00 – 18:00
A science and technology presentation by the founder and CEO of Gaseous electronics LLC (www.gaselco.com). Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Abstract
For a 15-meter space drone for example with a small payload, a one-way trans-lunar journey utilizing a hybrid propulsion architecture—comprising Denser Atmospheric Plasma Thrusters (DAPTs) for Earth atmospheric operations and vacuum-optimized plasma thrusters for deep space transit—would necessitate a prolonged travel duration. While DAPTs are designed for in-situ propellant utilization in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), their functionality ceases in the vacuum of space. Consequently, the lunar transfer would rely exclusively on vacuum-optimized electric propulsion systems, such as ion or Hall Effect thrusters, which are characterized by exceptionally high specific impulse but inherently low thrust. This operational profile, leveraging continuous, low-level acceleration over extended periods, results in typical one-way transit times to the Moon ranging from several months to over a year, as demonstrated by missions like ESA’s SMART-1, which took 13 months to achieve lunar orbit. This approach, while significantly extending travel time compared to chemical propulsion, offers substantial propellant mass savings, enabling long-duration missions without the constraints of high onboard fuel requirements.
