Development of a high performance all-printed propulsion system (ALPS) for VLEO DiskSat

该博士项目旨在开发高性能版本的ALPS（全打印推进系统），以保持VLEO（极低地球轨道）的姿态。VLEO指的是距离地球表面250至450公里的轨道，提供有吸引力的链路预算，减少辐射环境和更低的延迟。因此，VLEO卫星技术目前将成为传统固定电话通信服务提供商的全球竞争对手。由于卫星和碎片物体都是在短时间内从VLEO轨道上拉出来的，因此它是长期空间发展的可持续轨道制度。DiskSat是一种直径1米，厚2厘米的板状卫星，能够以低阻力方向连续飞行。由于DiskSat具有前所未有的高功率质量比和低气动阻力，它可以为VLEOs中的电信任务提供理想的平台。推进系统是DiskSat的重要组成部分，用于VLEO任务，以补偿其轨道衰减损失并维持其轨道高度。然而，DiskSat平台的薄特性使得传统的电力推进系统难以使用。在该项目中，候选人将采用ALPS概念为DiskSat开发推进系统。ALPS是一个独立的电力推进系统，基于一组薄层真空电弧推进器。由于其创新的外形因素，ALPS可以成为DiskSat的理想推进系统。通过该博士项目，候选人将为DiskSat开发高性能版ALPS的工程模型（EM），并评估其未来在轨演示任务的性能。

This PhD project aims to develop a high-performance version of ALPS (ALl-printed Propulsion System to maintain attitude of VLEO (Very Low Earth Orbit).VLEO refers to orbits between 250 and 450 kilometres above the Earth's surface, and offers an attractive link budget, a reduced radiation environment and lower latency. Therefore, VLEO satellite technology is currently set to become a global competitor to traditional landline communications service providers. As satellites and debris objects alike are pulled from orbit within a short period in VLEO, it isa sustainable orbital regime for long-term space development. DiskSat is a plate-shaped satellite 1m in diameter and 2 cm thick having the ability to fly continuously in a low-drag orientation. As the DiskSat has an unprecedentedly high power-to-mass ratio and low aerodynamic drag, it can provide an ideal platform for telecommunication missions in VLEOs. A propulsion system is an essential component of the DiskSat to be used in VLEO missions to compensate for its orbital decay losses and sustain its orbital altitude. However, the thin nature of DiskSat platform makes difficult to use conventional electric propulsion systems.In this project, the candidate will develop a propulsion system for the DiskSat by adapting the ALPS concept. ALPS is a standalone electric propulsion system based on a cluster of thin-layer vacuum arc thrusters. Due to its innovative form factor, the ALPS can be an ideal propulsion system for the DiskSat. Through this PhD project, the candidate will develop an engineering model (EM) of high-performance version of the ALPS for a DiskSat and evaluating its performance for future in-orbit demonstration missions.