Momentum-Exchange Tether Propulsion System For Propellantless Orbital Manoeuvres: A Review

Abstract

The conventional chemical propulsion systems, while delivering numerous advantages, are not much efficient for deep space missions owing to their dependence on quantity of stored chemical propellants and calorific value of the propellant composition. Even the most energetic combination of fuel and oxidizer is able to deliver a maximum specific impulse just in the range of 450-550s. Such low range of specific impulse of chemical propulsion systems make them unsuitable for missions extending over longer periods of time.