ANALYSIS OF AUXILIARY PROPULSION SYSTEMS WITH A SEPARATE SOURCE OF ENERGY

The effects of mass energy system, propellant density, electric power and other parameters on the performance of propulsion systems with sep arate source of energy are investigated. A simplified analysis that re lates thrust and specific impulse in such systems is developed. The re sults are presented in terms of variation of mass efficiency or payloa d ratio with the external power supplied to the system. It is shown th at the utilization of a separate source of energy is advantageous up t o a determined value of the external power that depends on the satelli te total mass and on its characteristic increment of velocity.