The performance of chemical upper stage rocket propulsion cannot be improved much in the near future. However, promising alternative solar and nuclear powered upper stages could be operational within ten years. This report provides a detailed discussion of these alternative upper stage concepts and their likely applications and performance. Included are descriptions of the methodology and the results of a cost effectiveness analysis. The report also evaluates satellite electrical power generation because many of the concepts have propulsion and electrical power subsystems integrated with the satellite. We found frequent, significant performance and cost advantages for the alternative technologies compared with today's baseline. These technologies would make it possible to place the same payload mass into operational orbit with a smaller, less costly booster or to place more payload mass into orbit with the original booster. Off-setting these advantages are low thrust levels and, consequently, longer orbital transfer times.
Space Propulsion and Power: Operational Effectiveness and Cost Study (OECS)
1996
251 pages
Report
No indication
English
Electric & Ion Propulsion , Nuclear Propulsion , Unmanned Spacecraft , Cost effectiveness , Artificial satellites , Rocket propulsion , Space propulsion , Space technology , Payload , Earth orbits , Operational effectiveness , Electric power production , Arc jet engines , Photovoltaic effect , Thrust control , Ion engines , Launch vehicles , Cryogenic engines , Rocket research , Spacecraft nuclear propulsion , Solar rockets
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