Mission studies reveal that Earth orbit transfer missions, station keeping, and elusive maneuvering missions benefit from the application of efficient electric propulsion (EP) systems. The Dual Mode of utilizing significant on-board power for the main mission coupled to electric propulsion for orbit transfer and maneuvering is creating new EP opportunities. Space experiments involving EP are being planned around two state of the art thruster types: arcjet and ion. Long term research on high thrust density ion propulsion is aimed at 5 to 25 kW operation in the 5000 s specific impulse range. Shorter term research is focused on the NH3 arcjet for the SP-100 flight mission. Demonstrated 30 kW arcjet sustained life and the arcjets's inherent simplicity offer low risk and minimum cost for the SP-100 flight demonstration objectives. In addition, solar power flight experiments offer near term opportunities to acquire flight experience on these nearly developed high power arcjet systems.
SDIO Electric Propulsion Objectives and Programs
1989
13 pages
Report
No indication
English
SDIO electric propulsion objectives and programs
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