REGULUS is a propulsion platform for CubeSats. It integrates the Magnetically Enhanced
Thruster (MET) and its subsystems (ie, fluidic line, electronics, and thermo-structural …

This paper presents a hybrid particle-in-cell (PIC) fluid approach to model the interaction of a
plasma plume with a spacecraft and/or any nearby object. Ions and neutrals are modeled …

Abstract Space debris removal from Earth orbit by using a satellite is an emergent
technological challenge for sustainable human activities in space. In order to de-orbit debris …

This Perspective paper deals with an overview of particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision
models applied to different plasma-propulsion configurations and scenarios, from …

This article is devoted to the presentation of a numerical model of a Helicon Plasma Thruster
(HPT) which relies on: 1) the 3-D adVanced fluId dRifT diffUsion plaSma solver (3D …

The “ion beam shepherd” is a recently proposed concept for removing space debris in a
contactless manner. A shepherd satellite must be controlled to move at a certain small …

A cathode-less radio frequency (RF) thruster is a plasma-based system for space
propulsion. It consists on a source for plasma generation driven by an RF antenna and a …

The collisionless, steady state expansion of a warm electron, cold ion plasma thruster plume
into vacuum is studied with an electrostatic particle-in-cell model and globally-consistent …

This paper presents a study of the interaction between a spacecraft, a plasma thruster plume
and a free floating object, in the context of an active space debris removal mission based on …

An approach to determine the force transmitted by the plasma plume of an ion thruster to an
orbital object immersed in it using its central projection on a selected plane is proposed. A …