Air-breathing plasma ramjet propulsion system that ionizes residual atmospheric molecules at VLEO altitudes to generate thrust without onboard propellant.
AERIS
Air-breathing plasma ramjet propulsion system that ionizes residual atmospheric molecules at VLEO altitudes to generate thrust without onboard propellant.
Description
AERIS is Stars Edge's air-breathing plasma propulsion system, engineered to collect and ionize residual atmospheric molecules at Very Low Earth Orbit altitudes to generate thrust. This eliminates the need for onboard propellant to counteract atmospheric drag, the primary limiting factor for satellite lifetime at VLEO altitudes below 450 km. By continuously intaking and ionizing ambient atmospheric gas as reaction mass, AERIS can in principle sustain a satellite's orbit indefinitely, provided sufficient electrical power is available, opening up VLEO as a viable long-duration operating regime for Earth observation and communications missions that benefit from closer proximity to Earth's surface.
Specifications
| Propulsion type | Air-breathing plasma ramjet |
|---|---|
| Propellant source | Ionized residual atmospheric molecules |
| Target orbit | Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) |
| Key benefit | Drag compensation without onboard propellant |