The main features and key problems in the development of air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) are outlined. Qualitative differences between ABEP and its closest predecessor, electric propulsion (EP), are highlighted. The necessary conditions for the long-term maintenance of spacecraft with ABEP in ultra-low (120–250 km) orbits (ULEO) are formulated. EP technologies, which have the best prospects for application in future ABEP, are shown. Estimates of the feasibility of long-term missions in ULEO are presented, including those based on the integrated optimization of the layout of spacecraft with ABEP and solar arrays. The main results of investigations of spacecraft maneuverability are described.

The review uses the results of studies published mainly in recent years. At the same time, some historical facts of first practical steps in EP- and ABEP-technology development, which remained out of the attention of a wide audience due to different reasons, are described. The authors felt free of giving their own assessment of a number of the results presented in key areas of the research.

概述了吸气式电力推进（ABEP）发展的主要特点和关键问题。突出显示了 ABEP 与其最接近的前身电力推进 (EP) 之间的质量差异。制定了在超低（120-250 公里）轨道（ULEO）长期维护 ABEP 航天器的必要条件。显示了在未来 ABEP 中具有最佳应用前景的 EP 技术。提出了对 ULEO 长期任务可行性的估计，包括那些基于带 ABEP 和太阳能电池阵列的航天器布局综合优化的估计。描述了航天器机动性研究的主要结果。

该综述主要使用了近几年发表的研究结果。同时，描述了 EP 和 ABEP 技术发展的第一个实际步骤的一些历史事实，由于不同的原因，这些步骤一直没有引起广大读者的注意。作者对研究的关键领域中出现的一些结果没有给出自己的评估。