Researchers from the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) and Moscow State University (MSU) are pursuing a satellite propulsion concept that could run without traditional fuel, a development highlighted by Izvestia. The team envisions a drive that works in low Earth orbit by drawing in the residual gases present in the upper atmosphere and converting them into thrust. This approach aims to extend mission durations and reduce the logistical burden of fueling and resupply for small to medium satellites that operate at altitudes around 200 kilometers above the planet.
The core idea is straightforward in principle: capture the atmospheric gas flow as the satellite moves through space, compress it, and feed it into an onboard engine. There, the captured gas would be transformed into plasma using electricity harvested from solar panels. By manipulating the resulting plasma with electric fields, the system could accelerate ions to produce jet propulsion, enabling continued thrust without carrying conventional propellant. Alexander Bogaty, a senior researcher at the Moscow Aviation Institute, explained that electric fields act on the plasma to yield a propulsion jet, a mechanism that blends plasma physics with lightweight, power-efficient design.
Engineers believe that such a capability could dramatically shrink the size and cost of satellites while also lowering the expenses tied to reaching orbit. If successful, the technology would open avenues for longer-lived satellite networks, more frequent deployment of constellations, and greater resilience in mission profiles that rely on sustained, self-generated thrust rather than stored propellant. The research team is exploring the interplay between atmospheric intake, plasma generation, and efficient electrostatic acceleration to ensure reliable performance in the challenging environment of near-Earth space.
In a broader context, this work sits alongside ongoing advances in non-chemical propulsion and electrified propulsion concepts that aim to maximize spacecraft efficiency. By leveraging ambient gas as a supplemental resource and coupling it with solar-powered energy, the approach seeks to deliver continuous thrust with minimal maintenance. The researchers are conducting laboratory simulations and incremental experiments to validate gas capture, plasma formation, and field-driven acceleration under realistic space conditions, with particular attention to robustness, thermal management, and long-term stability of components exposed to radiation and micrometeoroids.
Several research corridors feed into this effort. One path emphasizes efficient gas capture at micro-flow rates and the transformation of captured molecules into a stable plasma state suitable for acceleration through precise electric field control. Another path focuses on power management, ensuring the solar array can supply enough energy not only for propulsion but also for onboard systems, attitude control, and thermal regulation. A third avenue considers materials engineering—developing surfaces and components that withstand the harsh vacuum and radiation environment while maintaining high performance over extended mission durations.
While the concept remains in the experimental stage, the collaboration between MAI, MSU, and their partners underscores a growing interest in propulsion innovations that could redefine satellite design paradigms. The potential payoff includes longer mission lifetimes, reduced launch mass, and the possibility of deploying more capable sensors and communication systems without a proportional increase in launch volume. The scientific community will be watching closely as tests progress and data accumulate, informing whether atmospheric-assisted plasma propulsion can transition from laboratory demonstrations to practical tools for future space missions, with implications for both commercial and government-operated satellite programs. Research teams continue to publish findings in peer-reviewed venues and share insights with international collaborators to accelerate the maturation of this technology.