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High-Power Solar Electric Propulsion for Future NASA MissionsNASA has sought to utilize high-power solar electric propulsion as means of improving the affordability of in-space transportation for almost 50 years. Early efforts focused on 25 to 50 kilowatt systems that could be used with the Space Shuttle, while later efforts focused on systems nearly an order of magnitude higher power that could be used with heavy lift launch vehicles. These efforts never left the concept development phase in part because the technology required was not sufficiently mature. Since 2012 the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate has had a coordinated plan to mature the requisite solar array and electric propulsion technology needed to implement a 30 to 50 kilowatt solar electric propulsion technology demonstration mission. Multiple solar electric propulsion technology demonstration mission concepts have been developed based on these maturing technologies with recent efforts focusing on an Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission. If implemented, the Asteroid Redirect Vehicle will form the basis for a capability that can be cost-effectively evolved over time to provide solar electric propulsion transportation for a range of follow-on mission applications at power levels in excess of 100 kilowatts.
Document ID
20150001425
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Manzella, David (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Hack, Kurt (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Date Acquired
February 10, 2015
Publication Date
July 28, 2014
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN17271
Meeting Information
Meeting: Propulsion and Energy 2014
Location: Cleveland, OH
Country: United States
Start Date: July 28, 2014
End Date: July 30, 2014
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 729200.02.03.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Mission Applications
Solar Electric Propulsion
Space Exploration

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