Abstract: An intake system for an atmosphere-breathing electric thruster is disclosed, comprising an inlet for inflow of atmosphere particles, an outlet for coupling to the thruster for fueling collected atmosphere particles to the thruster, a collector arranged between the inlet and the outlet comprising multiple channels for allowing inflowing atmosphere particles to pass through the channels towards the outlet, the channels defining an inlet area and a length, wherein a position of at least part of the channels is adjustable to alter at least one of the inlet area and the length.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 22, 2021
Date of Patent:
June 11, 2024
Assignee:
VKI—von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
Inventors:
Damien Le Quang, Zuheyr Alsalihi, Pietro Parodi