AbstractDemands are being made for higher performance, more durable, more flexible and lower cost propulsion systems to satisfy spacecraft launch and orbit transfer requirements. The Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory is developing space propulsion having various attributes to meet the transport challenges imposed by modern spacecraft. Propulsion concepts, both chemical and nonchemical, are being developed and demonstrated to provide advanced systems for increasing the capabilities of existing and new spacecraft.Cryogenic (oxygen/hydrogen) propellant concepts that are being developed include a low thrust engine and compact cryogenic feed system. These provide substantial benefit to orbit transfer vehicles since they maximize both volume and weight to the payload carrying capability of the stage from low-earth to geosynchronous orbit. Studies and analyses indicate that this technology can provide a deployment stage that is 36 percent shorter than the Shuttle compatible Centaur and transfer nearly twice the payload to GEO.A modular storable space propulsion concept provides flexibility to size stages in a building block manner to satisfy payload requirements. Further, individual stage and integral propulsion options are made available. Analyses show that payload delivery capability can be increased over that of the Inertial Upper Stage by 140 percent while decreasing the transfer cost to GEO to .Nonchemical propulsion concept technologies include arcjet and solar thermal propulsion systems which can provide increased payload delivery to various orbits. The arcjet can provide 40 percent greater payload per launch than Centaur G'. Solar thermal can deliver at least twice the payload of an advanced cryogenic stage to GEO.Overview descriptions of the various propulsion concepts and their corresponding benefits to orbit transfer vehicles are presented.
Advanced space propulsion concepts
Acta Astronautica ; 16 ; 113-123
1987-01-01
11 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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