Systems analyses were performed for a Titan Explorer Mission characterized by Earth-Saturn transfer stages using solar electric power generation and propulsion systems for primary interplanetary propulsion, and chemical propulsion for capture at Titan. An examination of a range of system factors was performed to determine their effect on the payload delivery capability to Titan. The effect of varying launch vehicle type, solar array power level, ion thruster number, specific impulse, trip time, and Titan capture stage chemical propellant choice was investigated. The major purpose of the study was to demonstrate the efficacy of applying advanced ion propulsion system technologies like NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT), coupled with state-of-the-art (SOA) and advanced chemical technologies to a Flagship class mission. This study demonstrated that a NASA Design Reference Mission (DRM) payload of 406 kg could be successfully delivered to Titan using the baseline advanced ion propulsion system in conjunction with SOA chemical propulsion for Titan capture. In addition, the SEPS/Chemical system of this study is compared to an all- chemical NASA DRM mission. Results showed that the NEXT- based SEPS/Chemical system was able to deliver the required payload to Titan in 5 years less transfer time and on a smaller launch vehicle than the SOA chemical option.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Solar Electric and Chemical Propulsion for a Titan Mission



    Conference:

    AIAA JPC ; 2003 ; Huntsville, AL, United States


    Publication date :

    2005-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    SOLAR ELECTRIC AND CHEMICAL PROPULSION FOR A TITAN MISSION

    Cupples, M. / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics / Society of Automotive Engineers et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003


    Solar Electric and Chemical Propulsion for a Titan Mission

    Michael Cupples / Shaun Green / Victoria Coverstone et al. | AIAA | 2006




    Solar Electric and Chemical Propulsion for a Titan Mission

    M. Cupples / S. E. Green / B. B. Donahue et al. | NTIS | 2005