The International Space Station (ISS) is a cost-effective technology testbed which can be used to support research and development (R.&D.) activities and demonstration tests for advanced space technology systems. These advanced systems are needed for Space Station Pre-Planned Program Improvements near-Earth commercialization activities and human exploration missions. The ISS, advanced space technology R.&D. and testing capabilities include the capability to develop and test advanced propulsion/transport systems, both on (attached to) the International Space Station (ISS) and on future ISS based or visiting platforms (most likely commercially provided). Feasibility assessments of proposed, advanced propulsion research and development (R.&D.) and demonstration tests, will likely include new types of guidance, navigation and control (GN&C) operations and associated safety considerations. A GN&C software model of a specific advanced propulsion concept is used to examine some of these considerations. Some challenges, but no major barriers are identified to using the International Space Station (ISS) (and future ISS based or serviced platforms) to conduct R.&D. and demonstration testing of very advanced or breakthrough propulsion systems relying on highly non-linear field and particle effects. The International Space Station’s R.&D. and testing capability is needed to develop the technologies and systems required to cost-effectively implement human exploration and outpost missions to Mars. The R.&D. and testing conducted on the International Space Station will pave the way for the more demanding R.&D. and testing needed to develop and space qualify the technology which will take us to the moons of the outer planets, and eventually to Earth-like planets in nearby star systems.
International space station advanced propulsion technology R&D
Space technology and applications international forum -1999 ; 1999 ; Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA)
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 458 , 1 ; 1021-1026
1999-01-22
6 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Space station propulsion technology
NTRS | 1986
|Space station propulsion technology
NTRS | 1987
|Space station propulsion system technology
NTRS | 1987
|Space Station propulsion system technology
NTRS | 1987
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