spacex - Why will Starlink satellites use krypton instead of xenon for ...
To adjust position on orbit, maintain intended altitude, and deorbit, Starlink satellites feature Hall thrusters powered by krypton. (emphasis added) Most of the electric propulsion systems that I've …
physics - Why might krypton have a lower utilization fraction than ...
May 31, 2020 · 4 A comment below Why will Starlink satellites use krypton instead of xenon for electric propulsion? links to the 2011 preprint A Performance Comparison of Xenon and KryptonPropellant …
What are the tradeoffs in propellant choices for ion/electric based ...
Jul 9, 2024 · Think F = ma, where F in this case is the force of the electric field acting on the ion. If you change fuels (say from xenon to krypton, which is lighter), but don't change field strengths, then F …
What performance specification would be lower for Krypton than for ...
May 18, 2019 · For krypton, you need much more energetic electrons than you would for xenon. This significantly increases the erosion rate, which will shorten the life of the thruster.
How much krypton do Starlink satellites carry when they are ... - spacex
Nov 27, 2020 · Starlink satellites use krypton as propellant. This answer roughly estimates 2.3 kg of Krypton based on a total delta-V of 190 m/s and an exhaust velocity of 20,000 m/s. But how close is …
ion thruster - Space Exploration Stack Exchange
Jun 2, 2021 · Krypton is far more common (~1 ppm, over 10x that of xenon), and is produced with similar strategies, so it is a lot cheaper than xenon, at 290 USD per kilogram. SpaceX is launching …
Does Krypton or Xenon produce more thrust in a Hall-effect thruster ...
Dec 21, 2022 · I am trying to figure out if Xenon or Krypton produces more thrust for a given weight flow rate of fuel when the engine operates at the same discharge voltages. The information I find is mixed …
What is the fate of Krypton exhaust from Starlink thrusters?
Jun 18, 2025 · If the thrusters have a specific impulse of 1500s, that means the krypton atoms are traveling roughly 15 km/s when they exit the nozzle, which exceeds the escape velocity of earth. This …
Is there ever any reason for a satellite to point its thrusters and ...
Jun 19, 2025 · I encountered this question: What is the fate of Krypton exhaust from Starlink thrusters? Where a commenter points out that the exhaust velocity of krypton on the Starlink ion thrusters is …
How long could an oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere last on the Moon?
Jul 17, 2020 · A krypton or xenon atmosphere should last longer, but I can't find any numbers for that. Of course, this wouldn't be breathable, and those gases are also much rarer than oxygen or nitrogen.