Preliminary Comparison Between Nuclear-Electric and Solar-Electric Propulsion Systems for Future Interplanetary Missions

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Koppel ◽  
Claudio Bruno ◽  
Dominique Valentian ◽  
Paul Latham ◽  
Dave Fearn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Propulsion ◽  
Propulsion Systems ◽  
Solar Electric Propulsion ◽  
Preliminary Comparison ◽  
Interplanetary Missions

scholarly journals Electric Propulsion Methods for Small Satellites: A Review

Aerospace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Dillon O’Reilly ◽  
Georg Herdrich ◽  
Darren F. Kavanagh
Keyword(s):  
Electric Propulsion ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Space Propulsion ◽  
Propulsion Systems ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Art Research ◽  
Current Knowledge Base ◽  
Interplanetary Missions

Over 2500 active satellites are in orbit as of October 2020, with an increase of ~1000 smallsats in the past two years. Since 2012, over 1700 smallsats have been launched into orbit. It is projected that by 2025, there will be 1000 smallsats launched per year. Currently, these satellites do not have sufficient delta v capabilities for missions beyond Earth orbit. They are confined to their pre-selected orbit and in most cases, they cannot avoid collisions. Propulsion systems on smallsats provide orbital manoeuvring, station keeping, collision avoidance and safer de-orbit strategies. In return, this enables longer duration, higher functionality missions beyond Earth orbit. This article has reviewed electrostatic, electrothermal and electromagnetic propulsion methods based on state of the art research and the current knowledge base. Performance metrics by which these space propulsion systems can be evaluated are presented. The article outlines some of the existing limitations and shortcomings of current electric propulsion thruster systems and technologies. Moreover, the discussion contributes to the discourse by identifying potential research avenues to improve and advance electric propulsion systems for smallsats. The article has placed emphasis on space propulsion systems that are electric and enable interplanetary missions, while alternative approaches to propulsion have also received attention in the text, including light sails and nuclear electric propulsion amongst others.

scholarly journals Chemical and Solar-Electric-Propulsion Systems Analyses for Mars Sample Return Missions

2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin B. Donahue ◽  
Shaun E. Green ◽  
Victoria L. Coverstone ◽  
Byoungsam Woo
Keyword(s):  
Electric Propulsion ◽  
Propulsion Systems ◽  
Sample Return ◽  
Solar Electric Propulsion

scholarly journals Analysis of Electric Propulsion System for Exploration of Saturn

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Renato Huaura Solórzano ◽  
Antonio Fernando Bertachini de Almeida Prado ◽  
Alexander Alexandrovich Sukhanov
Keyword(s):  
Electric Propulsion ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Propulsion System ◽  
Keplerian Orbit ◽  
Low Thrust ◽  
Propulsion Systems ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
Outer Planets ◽  
Electric Propulsion System ◽  
Solar Electric Propulsion

Exploration of the outer planets has experienced new interest with the launch of the Cassini and the New Horizons Missions. At the present time, new technologies are under study for the better use of electric propulsion system in deep space missions. In the present paper, the method of the transporting trajectory is used to study this problem. This approximated method for the flight optimization with power-limited low thrust is based on the linearization of the motion of a spacecraft near a keplerian orbit that is close to the transfer trajectory. With the goal of maximizing the mass to be delivered in Saturn, several transfers were studied using nuclear, radioisotopic and solar electric propulsion systems.

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