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.
Solar Electric Propulsion Concepts for Human Space Exploration
2015
17 pages
Report
No indication
English
Astronomy & Astrophysics , Extraterrestrial Exploration , Space Technology , Solar electric propulsion , Electric propulsion , Robotics , Models , Design analysis , Solar arrays , Chemical propulsion , Hybrid propulsion , Hall thrusters , Propulsion system configurations , Space exploration , Asteroids , Mars missions , Systems analysis , Systems engineering , Costs , Cargo spacecraft , Space transportation system , Mission planning , Nasa space programs
Solar Electric Propulsion Concepts for Human Space Exploration (AIAA 2015-4521)
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2015
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