Trajectoires faible énergie et propulsion électrique

This main purpose of this seminar was to make experts in space guidance and electric propulsion exchange on diverse propulsion technologies and on the compliance of these technologies with future missions. But it was also a time to discuss the effects of these technologies on guidance methods.

As electric propulsion reaches maturity, it allows studies about new missions in which guidance algorithms have been adapted or renewed.

The aim of the seminar was numerous:

• First, to evaluate the impact of this propulsion technology on guidance methods. Several presentations detailed how academic and industrial actors currently benefit from these advantages, and how they take in consideration use conditions of these engines.
• Secondly, to know better different electric propulsion technologies and especially dimensional characteristics (for the platform and guidance module). For instance, it is interesting to know better usage constraints of these electric engines, such as the necessary instantaneous power, heating time, minimal thrusting time, inter-thrust time… but also possibilities like modulation and thrusting profiles.
• Thirdly, to make guidance actors and the ones from electric propulsion start talking in a round-table discussion.