Air Breathing Ion Thrusters & Low Orbit Satellites

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Scott Manley

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Published on March 25, 2018 4:59:29 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srmtxK44YXk

Duration: 9:19

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Lower orbits are desirable for some spacecraft, but the Earth's atmosphere doesn't give spacecraft below 300km a long life. However ESA scientists recently demonstrated an electrical ramjet that could make low orbits viable for long term spacecraft.