Advances in solar array and electric thruster technologies now offer the promise of new, very capable space transportation systems that will allow us to cost effectively explore the solar system. NASA has developed numerous solar electric propulsion spacecraft concepts with power levels ranging from tens to hundreds of kilowatts for robotic and piloted missions to asteroids and Mars. This paper describes nine electric and hybrid solar electric/chemical propulsion concepts developed over the last 5 years and discusses how they might be used for human exploration of the inner solar system.


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    Solar Electric Propulsion Concepts for Human Space Exploration

    Mercer, Carolyn R. / McGuire, Melissa / Oleson, Steven R. | AIAA | 2015


    Solar Electric Propulsion Concepts for Human Space Exploration

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    Solar Electric Propulsion Concepts for Human Space Exploration

    Mercer, Carolyn R. / McGuire, Melissa L. / Oleson, Steven R. et al. | NTRS | 2015


    Solar Electric Propulsion Concepts for Human Space Exploration

    C. R. Mercer / M. L. Mcguire / S. R. Oleson et al. | NTIS | 2016


    Solar Electric Propulsion Concepts for Human Space Exploration (AIAA 2015-4521)

    Mercer, Carolyn R. / McGuire, Melissa / Oleson, Steven R. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2015