This paper presents the results of a study to determine the directions that electric propulsion technology should take to meet the primary propulsion requirements for earth-orbital missions of the next three decades in the most cost-effective manner. Discussed are the mission set requirements, state-of-the-art electric propulsion technology and the baseline system characterized by it, adequacy of the baseline system to meet the mission set requirements, cost-optimum electric propulsion system characteristics for the mission set, and sensitivities of mission costs and design points to system-level electric propulsion parameters. It is found that the efficiency-specific impulse characteristic generally has a more significant impact on overall costs than specific masses or costs of propulsion and power systems.


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    Title :

    Cost-effective technology advancement directions for electric propulsion transportation systems in earth-orbital missions


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    International Electric Propulsion Conference ; 1979 ; Princeton, NJ


    Publication date :

    1979-10-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English