斯图加特大学博士生弗朗切斯科·罗马诺开发了一种大气呼吸式电推进系统，能够采集地球大气中的分子作为燃料为卫星提供推力1。该系统采用射频氦离子推进器和优化的大气进气装置，其中镜面进气装置的收集效率约达94.3%1。推进器效率可达99%，仅需50-60W射频功率1。
该技术在实验室测试中表现良好，理论计算表明新发动机可在190-250公里高度以不足1.6kW功率在超低地球轨道上无限期运行1。研究还指出，在火星大气情况下该系统可在120-160公里高度维持运行1。不过，该系统仍面临实际挑战，例如原子氧会对发动机电极和阴极造成腐蚀1。虽然理论前景广阔，但该技术在实际太空任务中的可行性仍未在真实环境中得到验证1。该研究已于2026年7月发表在arXiv上1。
A doctoral researcher at the University of Stuttgart has developed an atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion system that could enable satellites to operate indefinitely in very low Earth orbit by harvesting molecules from the planet's atmosphere as fuel. 1 The system, created by Francesco Romano, employs a radiofrequency helium ion thruster paired with an optimized atmospheric intake mechanism. 1
Laboratory testing has demonstrated the technology's viability, with the intake device achieving a collection efficiency of approximately 94.3 percent. 1 The thruster itself operates at 99 percent efficiency while consuming only 50 to 60 watts of radiofrequency power. 1 Theoretical calculations indicate the engine could sustain satellites at altitudes between 190 and 250 kilometers using less than 1.6 kilowatts of power. 1 The system would also function on Mars, maintaining orbital operations at altitudes of 120 to 160 kilometers. 1
However, practical deployment in actual space missions remains unverified, as atomic oxygen at such low altitudes poses a significant challenge, potentially corroding the engine's electrodes and cathode. 1 The research was published on arXiv in July 2026 under DOI 2607.02635. 1
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