Abstract We describe how availability of new solar electric propulsion (SEP) technology can substantially increase the science capability of space astronomy missions working within the near-UV to far-infrared (UVOIR) spectrum by making dark sky orbits accessible for the first time. We present a proof of concept case study in which SEP is used to enable a 700kg Explorer-class observatory payload to reach an orbit beyond where the zodiacal dust limits observatory sensitivity. The resulting scientific performance advantage relative to a Sun–Earth L2 point orbit is presented and discussed. We find that making SEP available to astrophysics Explorers can enable this small payload program to rival the science performance of much larger long development-time systems. We also present flight dynamics analysis which illustrates that this concept can be extended beyond Explorers to substantially improve the sensitivity performance of heavier (7000kg) flagship-class astrophysics payloads such as the UVOIR successor to the James Webb Space Telescope by using high power SEP that is being developed for the Asteroid Redirect Robotics Mission.


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    Title :

    Breakthrough capability for UVOIR space astronomy: Reaching the darkest sky



    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 55 , 4 ; 1222-1233


    Publication date :

    2014-11-12


    Size :

    12 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





    Breakthrough Capability for the NASA Astrophysics Explorer Program: Reaching the Darkest Sky

    M. A. Greenhouse / S. W. Benson / R. D. Falck et al. | NTIS | 2012


    Breakthrough Capability for the NASA Astrophysics Explorer Program: Reaching the Darkest Sky

    Greenhouse, Matthew A. / Benson, Scott W. / Falck, Robert D. et al. | NTRS | 2012