Abstract Multimode propulsion is the integration of two or more propulsive modes with shared propellant into a single spacecraft propulsion system. Multimode propulsion is emerging as an enabling technology that promises enhanced capabilities for spacecraft and space missions, and can therefore play an important role in the future of in-space propulsion. Multimode propulsion has the potential to provide unprecedented flexibility and adaptability to spacecraft as a direct result of shared propellant, and can provide mass savings for certain missions. These benefits can apply regardless of spacecraft size. Additional mass savings may be realized by sharing thruster hardware between modes, especially for small satellites. Numerous multimode concepts have been explored and documented in the literature. Concepts combining cold gas, monopropellant, bipropellant, and solid chemical propulsion with electrothermal, electrostatic, and electromagnetic electric propulsion have all been investigated. Electrospray electric propulsion paired with monopropellant chemical propulsion has perhaps received the most recent attention. We review the nature of multimode propulsion, mission analyses, benefits, and specific multimode concepts.

中文翻译：

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多模空间推进综述

摘要 多模推进是将两种或多种具有共享推进剂的推进模式集成到一个单一的航天器推进系统中。多模推进正在成为一种赋能技术，有望增强航天器和太空任务的能力，因此可以在太空推进的未来发挥重要作用。作为共享推进剂的直接结果，多模推进有可能为航天器提供前所未有的灵活性和适应性，并且可以为某些任务节省大量的资源。无论航天器大小如何，这些好处都可以适用。通过在模式之间共享推进器硬件可以实现额外的质量节省，特别是对于小型卫星。文献中已经探索并记录了许多多模概念。结合冷气、单体推进剂、双推进剂和固体化学推进与电热、静电和电磁电力推进都已被研究。电喷雾电力推进与单组元化学推进相结合可能最近受到了关注。我们回顾了多模推进的性质、任务分析、好处和特定的多模概念。