上层大气层长期飞行的力学原理和概念方案

doi:10.7527/S1000-6893.2025.32158

Abstract

Abstract:

In order to achieve a long-time flight in the upper atmosphere， the mechanic principle for flying in the upper atmosphere for a long time is described and a preliminary configuration， which takes into account the aerodynamic and propulsion aspects simultaneously， is designed. After evaluating the aerodynamic drags and inlet performance by Direct Simulation Monte Carlo （DSMC） method， a concept scheme is devised and the feasibility of the thrust-drag balance subjected to a limited supply of solar power is analyzed. The aerodynamic configuration is composed of the body， the sweep-forward solar panel， and the concave inlet of an Atmosphere-Breathing Electric Propulsion （ABEP） system. Flow characteristics from numerical calculations indicate that the sweep-forward design of solar panel can enhance the collection performance of the inlet. Under some assumptions， the ABEP is able to produce the thrust， which can cancel the total drag of the configuration designed here， proving its ability of flying at an altitude of 180 km at 7 760 m/s. Decreasing the accommodation coefficient in the Gas-Surface Interaction （GSI） can not only reduce the total drag but also enhance the collection and compression performances of the inlet， thus relaxing the requirement for the ionization efficiency and thrust-to-power ratio in order to acquire the thrust-drag balance. If a larger thrust-to-power ratio can be obtained， a solar panel with a smaller area can be employed to relieve the demand for the ionization efficiency， and if a higher ionization efficiency can be obtained， a solar panel with a larger area can be utilized to alleviate the requirement for the thrust-to-power ratio. In the future， the effective methods to achieve thrust-drag balance and long-time flight in the upper atmosphere are reducing the GSI accommodation coefficient by means of designing or smoothing the aircraft surface material and increasing the ionization efficiency and thrust-to-power ratio by developing efficient ionization and acceleration technology.

Key words: upper atmosphere, atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion, integrated aerodynamic and propulsion design, thrust-drag balance, accommodation coefficient

CLC Number:

V411.3

Xuhong JIN, Ziwei LI, Weilong SHI, Yihao LIU. Mechanic principle and concept scheme for flying in upper atmosphere for a long time[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2026, 47(2): 132158.

Figures/Tables 13

Fig.1

Fig.2

Fig.3

Table 1

Fig.4

Fig.5

Table 2

Fig.6

Table 3

Fig.7

Fig.8

Table 4

Table 5

References 46

[1]	沈清，黄飞，程晓丽，等. 飞行器上层大气层空气动力特性探讨［J］. 气体物理， 2021， 6（1）： 1-9.
	SHEN Q， HUANG F， CHENG X L， et al. On characteristics of upper atmosphere aerodynamics of flying vehicles［J］. Physics of Gases， 2021， 6（1）： 1-9 （in Chinese）.
[2]	CHEN Z， HUANG F， JIN X H， et al. A novel lightweight aerodynamic design for the wings of hypersonic vehicles cruising in the upper atmosphere［J］. Aerospace Science and Technology， 2021， 109： 106418.
[3]	MOSTAZA PRIETO D， GRAZIANO B P， ROBERTS P C E. Spacecraft drag modelling［J］. Progress in Aerospace Sciences， 2014， 64： 56-65.
[4]	CRISP N H， ROBERTS P C E， LIVADIOTTI S， et al. The benefits of very low earth orbit for earth observation missions［J］. Progress in Aerospace Sciences， 2020， 117： 100619.
[5]	靳旭红，黄飞，张俊，等. 上层大气层飞行器研究进展及气动技术挑战［J］. 航空学报， 2024， 45（22）： 6-21.
	JIN X H， HUANG F， ZHANG J， et al. Spacecraft in upper atmosphere： Research development and aerodynamic challenges［J］. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica， 2024， 45（22）： 6-21 （in Chinese）.
[6]	金紫涵，温昶煊，乔栋. 卫星解体碎片云对低轨星座的碰撞影响分析［J］. 航空学报， 2024， 45（）： 211-220.
	JIN Z H， WEN C X， QIAO D. Impact analysis of satellite debris cloud on low-orbit constellation［J］. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica， 2024， 45（S1）： 211-220 （in Chinese）.
[7]	CRISP N H， ROBERTS P C E， LIVADIOTTI S， et al. In-orbit aerodynamic coefficient measurements using SOAR （satellite for orbital aerodynamics research）［J］. Acta Astronautica， 2021， 180： 85-99.
[8]	苏鹏辉，靳旭红，姚雨竹，等. 吸气式电推进系统进气道性能数值研究与可行性分析［J］. 航空学报， 2025， 46（16）： 131569.
	SU P H， JIN X H， YAO Y Z， et al. Numerical study and feasibility analysis of inlet performance of air-breathing electric propulsion system［J］. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica， 2025， 46（16）： 131569 （in Chinese）.
[9]	张俊，蒋亦凡，陈松，等. 超低轨卫星气动阻力计算与减阻设计研究综述［J］. 航空学报， 2024， 45（21）： 159-180.
	ZHANG J， JIANG Y F， CHEN S， et al. Overview of aerodynamic drag calculation and reduction design for very low Earth orbit satellites［J］. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica， 2024， 45（21）： 159-180 （in Chinese）.
[10]	LIVADIOTTI S， CRISP N H， ROBERTS P C E， et al. A review of gas-surface interaction models for orbital aerodynamics applications［J］. Progress in Aerospace Sciences， 2020， 119： 100675.
[11]	PADILLA J F， BOYD I D. Assessment of gas-surface interaction models for computation of rarefied hypersonic flow［J］. Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer， 2009， 23（1）： 96-105.
[12]	LIANG T F， LI Q， YE W J. Performance evaluation of Maxwell and Cercignani-Lampis gas-wall interaction models in the modeling of thermally driven rarefied gas transport［J］. Physical Review E， Statistical， Nonlinear， and Soft Matter Physics， 2013， 88（1）： 013009.
[13]	DENG J C， ZHANG J， LIANG T F， et al. A modified Cercignani-Lampis model with independent momentum and thermal accommodation coefficients for gas molecules scattering on surfaces［J］. Physics of Fluids， 2022， 34（10）： 107108.
[14]	JIN X H， CHENG X L， HUANG Y Q， et al. Numerical analysis of inlet flows at different altitudes in the upper atmosphere［J］. Physics of Fluids， 2023， 35（9）： 093605.
[15]	陶瑞灵，王智慧. 上层大气层气固相互作用的分子动力学研究［J］. 力学学报， 2025， 57（1）： 65-78.
	TAO R L， WANG Z H. Molecular dynamics study of gas-surface interactions in upper atmosphere［J］. Chinese Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics， 2025， 57（1）： 65-78 （in Chinese）.
[16]	NISHIYAMA K. Air breathing ion engine concept［C］∥54th International Astronautical Congress of the International Astronautical Federation. Reston： AIAA， 2003.
[17]	ANDREUSSI T， FERRATO E， PAISSONI C A， et al. The AETHER project： Development of air-breathing electric propulsion for VLEO missions［J］. CEAS Space Journal， 2022， 14（4）： 717-740.
[18]	SINGH L A， WALKER M L R. A review of research in low earth orbit propellant collection［J］. Progress in Aerospace Sciences， 2015， 75： 15-25.
[19]	TAGAWA M， YOKOTA K， NISHIYAMA K， et al. Experimental study of air breathing ion engine using laser detonation beam source［J］. Journal of Propulsion and Power， 2013， 29（3）： 501-506.
[20]	ROMANO F， ESPINOSA-OROZCO J， PFEIFFER M， et al. Intake design for an atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system （ABEP）［J］. Acta Astronautica， 2021， 187： 225-235.
[21]	JACKSON S W， MARSHALL R. Conceptual design of an air-breathing electric thruster for CubeSat applications［J］. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets， 2017， 55（3）： 632-639.
[22]	LI Y W， CHEN X， LI D M， et al. Design and analysis of vacuum air-intake device used in air-breathing electric propulsion［J］. Vacuum， 2015， 120： 89-95.
[23]	WU J J， ZHENG P， ZHANG Y， et al. Recent development of intake devices for atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system［J］. Progress in Aerospace Sciences， 2022， 133： 100848.
[24]	JIN X H， SU P H， CHEN Z， et al. Numerical and experimental investigation of rarefied hypersonic flow in a nozzle［J］. Physics of Fluids， 2024， 36（11）： 116131.
[25]	JIN X H， MIAO W B， CHENG X L， et al. Monte Carlo simulation of inlet flows in atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion［J］. AIAA Journal， 2024， 62（2）： 518-529.
[26]	靳旭红，程晓丽，沈清，等. 吸气式电推进系统进气道气体流动数值分析［J］. 中国科学：物理学力学天文学， 2024， 54（3）： 150-161.
	JIN X H， CHENG X L， SHEN Q， et al. Numerical analysis of inlet flows in an atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system［J］. Scientia Sinica （Physica， Mechanica & Astronomica）， 2024， 54（3）： 150-161 （in Chinese）.
[27]	周靖云，靳旭红，程晓丽，等. 气固相互作用对吸气式电推进系统进气道性能的影响［J］. 清华大学学报（自然科学版）， 2024， 64（9）： 1536-1546.
	ZHOU J Y， JIN X H， CHENG X L， et al. Effects of gas-surface interaction on the inlet performance of an atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system［J］. Journal of Tsinghua University （Science and Technology）， 2024， 64（9）： 1536-1546 （in Chinese）.
[28]	JIN X H， CHENG X L， HUANG Y Q， et al. Numerical analysis of inlet flows in atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion systems with different sizes［J］. Aerospace Science and Technology， 2025， 158： 109897.
[29]	JIANG Y F， ZHANG J， TIAN P， et al. Aerodynamic drag analysis and reduction strategy for satellites in very low Earth orbit［J］. Aerospace Science and Technology， 2023， 132： 108077.
[30]	蒋亦凡，李帅辉，李志辉，等. 超低轨道卫星气动特性分析与优化设计［J］. 力学学报， 2025， 57（3）： 616-626.
	JIANG Y F， LI S H， LI Z H， et al. Analysis and optimization of aerodynamic characteristics for very low earth orbit satellites［J］. Chinese Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics， 2025， 57（3）： 616-626 （in Chinese）.
[31]	李俊红，黄飞，靳旭红，等. 上层大气层飞行器气动布局优化设计［J］. 航空学报， 2024， 45（22）： 72-81.
	LI J H， HUANG F， JIN X H， et al. Aerodynamic layout optimization design of upper atmosphere aircraft［J］. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica， 2024， 45（22）： 72-81 （in Chinese）.
[32]	靳旭红，黄飞，程晓丽，等. 超低轨航天器气动特性快速预测的试验粒子Monte Carlo方法［J］. 航空学报， 2017， 38（5）： 120625.
	JIN X H， HUANG F， CHENG X L， et al. Test particle Monte Carlo method for rapid prediction of aerodynamic properties of spacecraft in lower LEO［J］. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica， 2017， 38（5）： 120625 （in Chinese）.
[33]	JIN X H， HUANG F， CHENG X L， et al. Monte Carlo simulation for aerodynamic coefficients of satellites in low-Earth orbit［J］. Acta Astronautica， 2019， 160： 222-229.
[34]	BIRD G A. Approach to translational equilibrium in a rigid sphere gas［J］. Physics of Fluids， 1963， 6（10）： 1518-1519.
[35]	BIRD G A. Molecular gas dynamics and the direct simulation of gas flows［M］. Oxford： Oxford University Press， 1994： 340-346.
[36]	BIRD G A. Monte Carlo simulation of gas flows［J］. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics， 1978， 10： 11-31.
[37]	PLIMPTON S J， MOORE S G， BORNER A， et al. Direct simulation Monte Carlo on petaflop supercomputers and beyond［J］. Physics of Fluids， 2019， 31（8）： 086101.
[38]	BORGNAKKE C， LARSEN P S. Statistical collision model for Monte Carlo simulation of polyatomic gas mixture［J］. Journal of Computational Physics， 1975， 18（4）： 405-420.
[39]	JIN X H， HUANG F， MIAO W B， et al. Effects of the boundary-layer thickness at the cavity entrance on rarefied hypersonic flows over a rectangular cavity［J］. Physics of Fluids， 2021， 33（3）： 036116.
[40]	JIN X H， CHENG X L， WANG Q， et al. Numerical analysis of rarefied hypersonic flows over inclined cavities［J］. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer， 2023， 214： 124401.
[41]	GALLIS M A， KOEHLER T P， TORCZYNSKI J R， et al. Direct simulation Monte Carlo investigation of the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability［J］. Physics of Fluids， 2015， 27（8）： 084105.
[42]	GALLIS M A， BITTER N P， KOEHLER T P， et al. Molecular-level simulations of turbulence and its decay［J］. Physical Review Letters， 2017， 118（6）： 064501.
[43]	LEOMANNI M， GARULLI A， GIANNITRAPANI A， et al. Propulsion options for very low Earth orbit microsatellites［J］. Acta Astronautica， 2017， 133： 444-454.
[44]	ANDREUSSI T， FERRATO E， GIANNETTI V. A review of air-breathing electric propulsion： From mission studies to technology verification［J］. Journal of Electric Propulsion， 2022， 1（1）： 31.
[45]	GARRIGUES L. Computational study of Hall-effect thruster with ambient atmospheric gas as propellant［J］. Journal of Propulsion and Power， 2012， 28（2）： 344-354.
[46]	GURCIULLO A， FABRIS A L， CAPPELLI M A. Ion plume investigation of a Hall effect thruster operating with Xe/N₂ and Xe/air mixtures［J］. Journal of Physics D： Applied Physics， 2019， 52（46）： 464003.

参数	H/km	占比/mol%			n_∞/（10¹⁶ m^-3）	T_∞/K
参数	H/km	N₂	O₂	O	n_∞/（10¹⁶ m^-3）	T_∞/K
数值	180	48.3	3.5	48.2	1.40	790.07

飞行器部件	σ=0.8		σ=0.5
飞行器部件	阻力/ mN	阻力占比/%	阻力/ mN	阻力占比/%
本体外轮廓	5.43	5.72	3.40	4.22
进气道内流	47.06	49.65	46.17	57.35
太阳能电池翼	42.29	44.62	30.94	38.43
整个飞行器	94.78	100.00	80.51	100.00

参数	σ=0.8	σ=0.5
平均压力/（10^-2 Pa）	1.66	2.32
平均压缩比	108.39	151.75
质量流率/（10^-6 kg·s^-1）	2.07	2.77
收集效率/%	54.05	72.27

参数	a2b4w3	a2b4w4	a2.5b4.5w4
总阻力/mN	72.21	80.51	83.99
电离效率/%	64.87	72.27	75.39
太阳翼面积/m²	18	24	28
推功比/（mN·kW^-1）	26.74	22.36	20.00

参数	σ=0.8	σ=0.5
推功比/（mN·kW^-1）	26.33	22.36
电离效率/%	114.36	72.27

Mechanic principle and concept scheme for flying in upper atmosphere for a long time

RichHTML

PDF (PC)

Knowledge

Abstract

Cite this article

share this article

Figures/Tables 13

References 46

Related Articles 4

Recommended Articles

Metrics

Comments

[1]	Penghui SU, Yihao LIU, Xuhong JIN, Xiaoli CHENG. Numerical investigation of inlet performance of an atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system and its feasibility analysis [J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2025, 46(16): 131569-131569.
[2]	Xuhong JIN, Fei HUANG, Jun ZHANG, Xuede WANG, Xiaoli CHENG, Qing SHEN. Spacecraft in upper atmosphere: Research development and aerodynamic challenges [J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2024, 45(22): 30254-030254.
[3]	Junhong LI, Fei HUANG, Xuhong JIN, Wenbo MIAO, Xiaoli CHENG. Aerodynamic layout optimization design of upper atmosphere aircraft [J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2024, 45(22): 130164-130164.
[4]	Yanting LIU, Jihui OU, Yufeng HAN, Jie CHEN. Effects of rectangular micro-scale structures on hypersonic rarefied shear flow [J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2023, 44(16): 127956-127956.