1, electric propulsion is not limited by the amount of chemical energy released by chemical propellant. Experience shows that the energy of general chemical propellant is 70MJ/kg. Electric propulsion is not limited by these restrictions, and theoretically it can reach any energy.
2. The specific impulse of electric propulsion is much higher than that of chemical propulsion.
Because the specific impulse of electric propulsion is much larger than that of chemical propulsion, much less propellant is needed, thus increasing the payload of the satellite and improving its performance and efficiency. However, electric propulsion also has its disadvantages, for example, it can only be applied to small thrust systems. The characteristics of small thrust and high specific impulse make the main applications of electric propulsion: position keeping, repositioning and attitude control. For some on-orbit propulsion tasks, electric propulsion has obvious advantages. More accurate attitude and chemical control can be obtained than chemical propulsion. For some relocation tasks, the relocation speed will be faster and the energy consumption will be less.
Zhang Fulin, who was born in Costa Rica 30 years ago and has 1/4 Chinese descent, thought so when he was still studying for a doctorate in plasma physics at MIT. In June 2009, as a former astronaut and physicist, founder and chief designer of Ad Astra Rocket Company, Zhang Fulin led the team to successfully test the first engine of VASIMR, and this view became more firm.
VASIMR, a full-power variable-ratio plasma rocket, has caused great repercussions in the space industry, although it is far from perfect.
Because when it is really born, the time to land on Mars will be shortened from 250 days to 39 days.
The motion phenomenon of graphene under the action of light can be used as a new source of spatial power. This important application discovery was discovered in the carbon century, and the device was successfully developed, which fully demonstrated the optical propulsion of graphene rocket and made the electric propulsion no longer limited by chemical reagents.