Solar Thermal Propulsion IHPRPT Demonstration Program Status

Abstract

This paper describes the final stages of a solar thermal propulsion ground-based test program funded under the IHPRPT initiative and sponsored by AFRL. A full-scale 4-by-6 meter off-axis parabolic concentrator and support system have been successfully built and deployed in both ambient and simulated space environments. The inflation control system has undergone improvements towards a flight qualified design. The sun tracking and focus control systems have been successfully tested at the subsystem level. The integrated sun-tracking test stand is nearing completion. The engine has been designed and is in fabrication. The final program milestone will be a fully integrated on-sun ground test to demonstrate the fulfillment of the Phase I IHPRPT goals.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 11, 2001
Accession Number
ADA410857

Entities

People

  • Dean M. Lester
  • Greg Farmer
  • Michael R. Holmes
  • Steven R. Wassom

Organizations

  • Utah State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Contracts
  • Control Systems
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Engineers
  • Fabrication
  • Films
  • Geometry
  • Light Sources
  • Military Research
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Solar Propulsion
  • Test Facilities
  • Thermal Propulsion Systems
  • Thin Films
  • Vacuum Chambers

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Software Engineering
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

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