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The advancement of communications technology, from vehicle networks to the Internet of Things, has led to increased demands for faster network speeds, greater bandwidth, and expansive coverage. Consequently, there's been a surge in the development of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems, which are set to be integrated with existing 5G networks and further evolve into the forthcoming 6G communications. In various countries, tech and aerospace giants such as Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Boeing, along with space industry innovators like SpaceX and Blue Origin, are investing in LEO satellite networks. These networks are anticipated to generate significant economic growth, prompting these corporations to compete in the investment, research, development, manufacturing, and deployment of such systems. The traditional propulsion systems for satellites are often bulky and inefficient, necessitating the creation of compact and effective propulsion solutions for small satellite deployment in LEO. The miniaturization trend in semiconductor technology has paved the way for smaller microstructures, which is essential in reducing thruster size. Currently, a novel, compact, and efficient propulsion system is under development, utilizing Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM) as its core. Originally developed for particle physics research at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), GEM technology is now being adapted for use in satellite propulsion, marking a significant innovation in the field.
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Luo et al. (2024) studied this question.
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