LPS ECRA Visionaries
Channel: Daniel Pérez Grande
Date: 2018-12-04

IEPC2017 Young Visionary competition winner. Authors: Daniel Pérez Grande, Mick Wijnen, Sara Correyero Plaza, Nereida Agüera López. Abstract: CubeSats have become more and more versatile is the last few years. However they are still limited by a lack of propulsive means. A novel electric thruster based on electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) heating will be a game changer. This device, while providing 1000s Isp and 1 mN of thrust at 30W of power, will enable Lunar CubeSat missions from GEO using on-board propulsion. An example mission to provide GPS on the lunar surface using 3U CubeSats in a 60°:24/4/1.37 Walker constellation with a semi-major
axis of 4000 km is proposed; a preliminary assessment of such a mission is fulfilled. Concurrent trajectory design for low-energy transfers is used to demonstrate the feasibility of the mission and serves as a tool to influence space-craft design.