Solar Electric propulsion (SEP) is examined as a candidate transportation option for human missions to Mars. Focus is given to an Earth-escape staging concept. This concept uses a SEP system to transfer from low earth orbit (LEO) to a high-energy elliptical parking orbit (HEEPO) and a chemical propulsion system to transfer from the HEEPO to a hyperbolic escape trajectory. LEO to Earth escape performance of these combined transportation systems is comparable to that of a nuclear thermal rocket (NTR). As a result, a mass efficient non-nuclear transportation architecture with fast, 180 day, Earth-to-Mars piloted transit times is enabled.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Options for the human exploration of Mars using Solar Electric propulsion


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Space technology and applications international forum -1999 ; 1999 ; Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA)


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 458 , 1 ; 1275-1280


    Publication date :

    1999-01-22


    Size :

    6 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Options for the Human Exploration of Mars Using Solar Electric Propulsion

    Gefert, L. P. / Hack, K. J. / Kerslake, T. W. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999




    Advanced propulsion options for human exploration of Mars

    Cothran, B. R. / Tillotson, B. J. / Donahue, B. B. | NTRS | 1990


    Advanced propulsion options for human exploration of Mars

    COTHRAN, B. / TILLOTSON, B. / DONAHUE, B. | AIAA | 1990