Analysis of Particle Behavior Using Particle-in-cell Method in Discharge and Acceleration Processes of an Air-breathing Electrostatic Ramjet Engine

A satellite cost becomes large when 400 km altitude is used for a satellite operation because it is necessary to equip a quality and large device on the satellites to obtain high-resolution images.But, when ultra-low altitude orbits of 100–200 km is selected, we can decrease the device cost of satellites because high-resolution images can be obtained even with the use of inexpensive cameras. Moreover, an air drag gradually decreases the flight altitude of satellites when a propulsion is stopped, which increases an aerodynamic heating and burns up the body of satellites; therefore, becoming space debris can be avoided when the ultra-low altitude satellite is used.Compensating the air drag is required to maintain the flight in ultra-low altitude.Because existing systems have a limit of fuel capacity and life, an air-breathing electrostatic ramjet engine, which generates the thrust by using an atmospheric gas as a propellant, has been proposed for ultra-low altitude missions.In this study, the discharge and acceleration processes of the electrostatic ramjet engine were numerically captured using particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations.The PIC result indicated that the electron was trapped by an external magnetic field, and a strong ion acceleration was obtained around the electrodes.