MUPETS: A Multi-Regime Plasma Equilibrium Transport Solver for Predicting Ambipolar Plasma Thruster Behaviour and Performance

This study addresses the challenge of accurately modeling the multi-regime plasma flow through Ambipolar Plasma Thrusters (APTs), a type of Electric Propulsion (EP) system. Despite their advantages, understanding the behavior of plasma within APTs is complex due to the presence of two different flow regimes: the fluid regime inside the thruster...

Sizing Optimization of a Hybrid Propulsion powertrain for a Crew Transfer Vessel incorporating uncertainties: towards a cost-effective, eco-friendly design

A major transition became necessary for the maritime industry to meet the IMO’s targets for mitigating the carbon footprint of the sector by at least 50% by 2050. One of the promising methods to lower the emissions is the ship's hybridization. An enormous increase in pilot and demonstration projects for that purpose is being observed. This...

Design of Propulsion System for 9 PAX Electric Aircraft: Motors and Power Distribution for AEA

In 2019 the European Aviation Environmental Report stated showed a relative increase in CO2 emissions of 16% compared to 2005 to 2017. It also stated that an increase of 42% is expected according to current models. Aviation is thus a big sector of the global warming problem. The solution to this is to go full electric. There are already more...

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of a Hall Thruster Operating with Air

The plasma behaviour in an air-propelled Hall thruster (SITAEL HT5k) is investigated by means of numerical modelling and experimental measurements. The air plasma employed (nitrogen/oxygen mixture) is firstly chemically characterized, identifying the most relevant species produced: four neutrals (N₂, N, O₂, O), four...

Modelling of electrode-plasma interactions in Pulsed Plasma Thrusters

Electric propulsion is generally characterized by higher specific impulse than traditional chemical rockets, which gives them propellant saving benefits. These have been applied in deep-space missions and micro-satellites. A Pulsed Plasma Thruster consists of two electrodes around a block of teflon. A pulsed discharge ablates the teflon and...

An Investigation of Electric Propulsion in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles through a Variable-Fidelity Multidisciplinary Design Optimisation Approach

The medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) plays a key role in both military and civilian applications around the world. However, in a world where electric UAVs are increasingly becoming the norm, the MALE UAV is still primarily powered by hydrocarbon fuels and its design is very much constrained by existing general...

eVTOL Design Propulsion System

In this thesis, a closer look will be taken into the design of a propulsion system of an eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-off and Landing aircraft). The primary goal of the eVTOL is to maximize the payload for a given maximum take-off weight and the eVTOL has to go into service in 2030. To make an as light weight as possible propulsion system, an...

Electric Propulsion Plasma Plume Simulation

In recent years the interest of the space community for electric propulsion has been rising thanks to the advantages that this technology offers. To ensure a correct integration on the spacecraft, it is important to be able to predict the behavior of the plasma plume generated by the thruster. Such plume could in fact damage spacecraft surfaces,...

Iodine-Fed μACFT Engineering Model for CubeSats

In the new space paradigm, CubeSats have become the go-to platform for researchers and industry devel- opers across the world for gaining access to space. As CubeSat technologies are maturing, many developers are planning intricate and utilitarian missions for CubeSats. Many of these concepts involve formation fly- ing or swarm dynamics, debris...

Electric Micro Propulsion: Development of a LaB6 Cathode for Micro Electric Thrusters

There is a trend in the miniaturisation of satellites. They not only become smaller, but lighter and more powerful as well. A large growth in the nano-satellite sector is present in the form of CubeSats. These milk carton size satellites use commercial of the shelf components in order to keep the costs low and to allow for technology...

Electrically Assisted Propulsion & Power Systems for Short-Range Missions: Electrification of a Conventional Airbus A320neo

Over the last 50 years, the global airline industry has seen resilient growth in the demand for passenger travel; this trend is expected to continue in the coming decades. With kerosene being the predominant source used as jet fuel, this increase in air traffic is expected to result in the depletion of non-renewable fossil fuels and undesired...

Thermal Modelling and Thermal Control Optimisation of the mN-μHEMPT

Airbus Friedrichshafen is working on the development of a milliNewton HEMPT (High Efficiency<br/>Multistage Plasma Thruster): an electrostatic thruster concept suitable for small satellite<br/>propulsion. An engineering model, the mN-μHEMPT, has been built and tested in vacuum,<br/>generating thrust levels in the range of 1 to 5 mN. Although the...