SDIO Electric Propulsion Objectives and Programs

Abstract

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.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA345760

Entities

People

  • L. H. Caveny
  • R. J. Vondra

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Astronautics
  • Contracts
  • Earth Orbits
  • Electric Power
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Energy Transfer
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Ion Propulsion
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Mechatronic Engineering
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Solar Energy
  • Spacecraft
  • Test And Evaluation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites