In the current market scenario, there are diverse and mature electric propulsion systems available to propel the satellite and spacecraft in various Earth’s orbits and deep space missions. The hall-effect thrusters (HETs) and gridded-ion engines (GIE) are one of the prominent electric propulsion technologies available in the current market and are mostly used in satellites. Some of the major satellite constellation operators, such as SpaceX and OneWeb, are using HETs for their satellites owing to thrust and high specific impulse (Isp), making them suitable for longer-duration mission applications. Additionally, the national space agencies are integrating more electric propulsion for their upcoming deep space missions. For instance, NASA uses electric propulsion for power and propulsion element (PPE) in its Lunar Gateway mission, which is planned to be launched by 2024.
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Furthermore, the small satellite constellations are driving the growth of electric propulsion as various satellite operators are deploying small satellites in large quantities to the low Earth orbit (LEO) for providing communication, Earth observation, and navigation services, among others. As the constellation size increases, the cost of satellite development upsurges with using a heavier chemical propulsion system. So, the market is experiencing a shift toward the deployment of electric propulsion for station keeping, orbital maneuvers, and de-orbiting. Also, the electric propulsion system takes less space while maintaining its efficiency and providing extra space to carry more payloads.
Additionally, the geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) segment has also witnessed the adoption of more electric propulsion for orbital maneuvers and orbit raising. Traditionally, chemical propulsion is used for orbit raising as it produces high thrust and can maneuver the satellite through geostationary transfer orbits (GTO) in approximately one week, but the propellant takes up half of the satellite’s wet mass.
During the initial years of the development of space technologies, the primary focus of companies had been on developing heavy and large-sized satellites. However, in recent times, the space industry has witnessed a number of technological advancements which have created substantial demand for small-size satellites for low Earth orbit (LEO) as well as cost-effective launch solutions.
Constellation operators chose small-satellite platforms owing to the low manufacturing cost and relatively lower launch costs (as they are lighter than heavy monolith satellites). This has driven the constellation operators to miniaturize their payload sensors and choose smaller and lighter hardware so as to fit them within the small-satellite platform of their choice (as suggested by the satellite manufacturer). With this rising need for smaller and lighter subsystems, the constellation operators started considering electric propulsion systems as they do not impose large/heavy hardware along with a heavy tank of dense fuel (to be integrated with the satellite). With multiple propulsion system suppliers offering diverse electric propulsion systems to meet this demand, the trend of small satellites preferring electric propulsion systems has been growing. The growth in the small-satellite constellations (in LEO) has subsequently resulted in the growing demand for electric propulsion systems.
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The low Earth orbit (LEO) is now attracting constellation companies and becoming crowded. Constellation operators are attracting investors in the space industry, and it is creating the demand for various satellite components needed to efficiently operate these satellites in LEO. There are many reasons for placing small satellite constellations in LEO, as they are lighter and have low launch costs.
