The Place of Solar Thermal Rockets in Space

Abstract

The harnessing of sunlight for propulsive energy is a recurring theme in space propulsion, particularly for applications requiring large velocity increments, such as planetary exploration or comet rendezvous. Characteristically, it is viewed in terms of the solar sail and the solar cell; but for operations in earth orbit these approaches are less desirable because the very low thrust leads to undesirably long maneuver times. Thrust levels several orders of magnitude higher are available with solar- thermal rockets, while preserving a specific impulse advantage over chemical systems. The performance% advantages, penalties, technological problems, and approaches are examined for solar thermal rockets. Its suitability in several earth orbit missions is assessed. The peculiarities of vehicle! design, the nature of the thruster and the solar concentrator are presented, and AF plans to implement the development of solar rockets are outlined.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1981
Accession Number
ADA407602

Entities

People

  • C. C. Selph

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Earth Orbits
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Ion Propulsion
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Mechatronic Engineering
  • Orbits
  • Payload
  • Propellants
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Rocket Propulsion
  • Solar Energy
  • Solar Propulsion
  • Spacecraft
  • Thermal Propulsion Systems
  • Thrusters

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

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