Solar Thermal Propulsion IHPRPT Demonstration Program

Abstract

Spacecraft powered by solar thermal propulsion engines will be able to provide the velocity change required to economically maneuver large payloads from one orbit to another or to perform interplanetary missions. This innovative concept, when applied, will double the efficiency of currently used LH2 - LO2 chemical upper stages. Solar thermal propulsion uses the sun's energy to heat a low molecular weight working fluid such as hydrogen to very high temperatures (3,000 K). The stored thermal energy is then converted to kinetic energy as the working fluid exits a diverging nozzle.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 12, 2000
Accession Number
ADA413007

Entities

People

  • Dean M. Lester
  • James C. Pearson
  • Michael R. Holmes
  • Steven R. Wassom

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Astronautics
  • Contracts
  • Control Systems
  • Engineers
  • Films
  • Frequency
  • Geometry
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Measurement
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Reflectors
  • Software Prototyping
  • Solar Propulsion
  • Spacecraft
  • Thermal Propulsion Systems

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Rocket Propulsion.
  • Software Engineering
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.

Technology Areas

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