MISTRAL air-breathing electric propulsion concept

A schematic of the VOLTA air-breathing electric propulsion system developed by Celeste as part of the 'MISTRAL: Miniaturised Innovative Space Thruster for Operation with Rarefied Air in Low Orbit' activity supported by ESA Discovery. The system collects residual atmospheric molecules at Very Low Earth Orbit velocities through an intake and accelerates them through an electric thruster, generating positive net thrust without the need to carry propellant on board.