"Spacecraft propulsion is any method used to accelerate spacecraft and artificial satellites."
The study of the design and operation of spaceflight systems, including orbital mechanics, guidance, navigation, and control systems.
Celestial Mechanics: The study of the motion of celestial objects in space, including the behavior of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Orbital Mechanics: The study of the motion of objects in orbit around a central celestial body, including Kepler's Laws and orbit classification.
Attitude Dynamics and Control: The study of the motion and control of a spacecraft's attitude (orientation) in space.
Rocket Propulsion: The principles of how rockets work and how thrust is generated.
Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC): The science of guiding and controlling spacecraft, including the analysis and design of control systems, sensors, and guidance algorithms.
Trajectory Analysis: The study of the path that a spacecraft follows as it moves through space, including trajectory optimization and transfer orbits.
Aerospace Structures: The principles of designing, manufacturing, and testing the physical structures that make up a spacecraft.
Space Environment: The study of the effects of the space environment on spacecraft and their components, including radiation, microgravity, and thermal conditions.
Spacecraft Systems: The various subsystems that make up a spacecraft, including power, communication, and thermal control systems.
Space Mission Design: The process of designing a mission, including payload selection, launch vehicle selection, and overall mission planning.
Orbital Dynamics: The study of the motion of objects in orbit around a central body, such as a planet, satellite or spacecraft.
Attitude Dynamics: The study of the motion of a spacecraft or satellite with respect to an inertial reference frame.
Guidance and Control: The design of systems that enable a spacecraft or satellite to follow a pre-determined trajectory or maintain a particular orientation.
Trajectory Optimization: The study of optimizing the flight path of a spacecraft or satellite to minimize fuel consumption, maximize science return or achieve other mission objectives.
Formation Flying: The design and control of multiple spacecraft or satellites to fly in a specified formation for scientific or operational purposes.
Entry, Descent and Landing: The study of the motion and control of a spacecraft or vehicle during the entry, descent and landing phases of a mission.
Propulsion Systems: The study of the design, development and operation of rocket and other propulsion systems used in spaceflight.
Spacecraft Dynamics and Control: The study of the motion and control of spacecraft during all phases of the mission, including launch, orbital operations and de-orbit.
Spacecraft Maneuvers: The design and execution of spacecraft maneuvers, such as orbit changes, attitude control, and docking or rendezvous with other spacecraft.
Orbital Debris: The study of debris in space and how it affects spacecraft and satellite operations, including mitigation and removal strategies.
"In-space propulsion exclusively deals with propulsion systems used in the vacuum of space and should not be confused with space launch or atmospheric entry."
"Most satellites have simple reliable chemical thrusters (often monopropellant rockets) or resistojet rockets for orbital station-keeping."
"Russian and antecedant Soviet bloc satellites have used electric propulsion for decades."
"Newer Western geo-orbiting spacecraft are starting to use [electric propulsion] for north-south station-keeping and orbit raising."
"Interplanetary vehicles mostly use chemical rockets as well, although a few have used ion thrusters and Hall-effect thrusters."
"[Electric propulsion] technologies will permit mission designers to plan missions to 'fly anytime, anywhere, and complete a host of science objectives at the destinations' and with greater reliability and safety."
"Expert opinion now holds that a portfolio of propulsion technologies should be developed to provide optimum solutions for a diverse set of missions and destinations."
"Most satellites have simple reliable chemical thrusters [...], but they may have drawbacks related to complexity or efficiency."
"Some satellites use momentum wheels for attitude control."
"Newer Western geo-orbiting spacecraft are starting to use [electric propulsion] for north-south station-keeping."
"Yes, a few interplanetary vehicles have used ion thrusters and Hall-effect thrusters (two different types of electric propulsion)."
"These [hypothetical in-space propulsion] technologies are intended to provide effective exploration of the Solar System."
"[Future propulsion technologies] will permit mission designers to plan missions to 'fly anytime, anywhere, and complete a host of science objectives at the destinations' and with greater reliability and safety."
"The question of which technologies are 'best' for future missions is a difficult one."
"A portfolio of propulsion technologies should be developed to provide optimum solutions for a diverse set of missions and destinations."
"Russian and antecedant Soviet bloc satellites have used electric propulsion for decades."
"Newer Western geo-orbiting spacecraft are starting to use [electric propulsion] for north-south station-keeping and orbit raising."
"Interplanetary vehicles mostly use chemical rockets as well, although a few have used ion thrusters and Hall-effect thrusters."
"[Future propulsion technologies] will permit mission designers to plan missions [...] with greater reliability and safety."