The development of atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion systems has recently gained interest with platforms operating in VLEO, but recent improvements in air-breathing electric propulsion systems rely on the design of an efficient intake particle collector. While several options to collect and raise the pressure exist and several analytical models have already been developed to evaluate performance, no experimental validation has yet been built.
A recent GSTP activity, with the Von Karman Institute, in Belgium, has set out to change this. The activity has proposed a conceptual test-bench for the qualification of an intake-collector system and manufactured a metal prototype.
A concept was introduced in order to investigate a full drag compensation mission between 180 and 250 km altitude.