Insights into the dynamic behavior of an radio-frequency helicon-based plasma thruster based atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion spacecraft in very low earth orbits

Abstract Atmosphere breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) is a key technology for enabling sustained spaceflight in the Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) regime. In this study, the most relevant use case for ABEP technology, namely orbit maintenance via drag compensation, is investigated and characterized in detail. A holistic MATLAB-based simulation tool dynamically couples all key environmental and system parameters to capture their interactions and assess overall system behavior rather than optimizing individual components. Parameter studies and representative use cases are used to identify critical sensitivities and modeling gaps, leading to targeted strategies such as surrogate models to address them. The results are intended to advance the understanding and technological maturity of the ABEP system and mission design, supporting the technology development towards an in-orbit demonstration in the near future.