Solar electric propulsion (SEP) is an alternative to chemical and nuclear powered propulsion systems for both piloted and unpiloted Mars transport vehicles. Photovoltaic solar cell and array technologies were evaluated as components of SEP power systems. Of the systems considered, the SEP power system composed of multijunction solar cells in an ENTECH domed fresnel concentrator array had the least array mass and area. Trip times to Mars optimized for minimum propellant mass were calculated. Additionally, a preliminary vehicle concept was designed.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Solar Electric Propulsion for Mars Transport Vehicles


    Contributors:
    J M Hickman (author) / H B Curtis (author) / S W Alexander (author) / J H Gilland (author) / K J Hack (author) / C Lawrence (author) / C K Swartz (author)

    Publication date :

    1990-09-01


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Solar Electric Propulsion for MARS Transport Vehicles

    J. M. Hickman / H. B. Curtis / S. W. Alexander et al. | NTIS | 1990


    Systems analysis of Mars solar electric propulsion vehicles

    HICKMAN, J. / CURTIS, H. / KENNY, B. et al. | AIAA | 1990


    Solar-Electric-Propulsion Cargo Vehicles for Split/Sprint Mars Mission

    C. E. Callaghan / M. D. Crowe / M. J. Swis et al. | NTIS | 1991


    Solar-electric-propulsion cargo vehicles for split/sprint Mars mission

    Callaghan, Christopher E. / Crowe, Michael D. / Swis, Matthew J. et al. | NTRS | 1991


    Mars Missions Using Solar Electric Propulsion

    Steven N. Williams / Victoria Coverstone-Carroll | AIAA | 2000