A modular orbital transfer vehicle for scientific and cargo transportation missions called MESCATS was investigated, in particular for advanced transportations between operational bases as well in a geostationary orbit such as a lunar orbit. A cluster of electrical ion-thrusters (RIT 35) was considered as the main propulsion system. The MESCATS is, due to its high specific impulse (up to 38,000 Nsec/kg), an interesting candidate providing not only high delta velocity increments (relevant in particular for scientific missions), but is especially economic for cargo missions (Earth/Moon). It appears feasible to develop an E-OTV like MESCATS which could meet a wide range of operational requirements (such as payload mass, orbital transfer time, velocity increment) with key elements assumed to be available in Europe in the medium term.
Electrical Transfer Vehicle Analysis for Future Space Operations (MESCATS)
1988
8 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
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