Development of an Experimental Test Bed for Cryogenic Propellant Regeneration In Orbit

Abstract Atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) enables spacecraft to use gases collected in orbit as propellant, supporting sustained operations at low altitudes and improving observation and communication missions. Recent studies have proposed using cryogenic pumps to improve the compression performance of ABEP intakes. This work explores using cryopumps to enable an alternative ABEP architecture, where gases are collected and stored independently prior to being used for thrust. We present progress on PHROST (Propellant Harvesting of Rarefied gases in Orbit for Supplying electric Thrusters), an experimental test bed for studying cryogenic propellant regeneration. Firstly, key component designs, subsystem selections, and a methodology for creating a representative intake environment are shown. Then, simulations of molecular flow and radiation heat transfer inside the pump are used to establish design feasibility during the collection phase. Finally, ongoing development is summarised.