Solar electric propulsion and interorbital transportation

Abstract

In-house MSFC and contracted systems studies have evaluated the requirements associated with candidate SEP missions and the results point to a standard system approach for both program flexibility and economy. The prospects for economical space transportation in the 1980s have already provided a stimulus for Space Industrialization (SI) planning. Two SI initiatives that are used as examples for interorbital transportation requirements are discussed - Public Service Platforms and Satellite Power System. The interorbital requirements for SI range from support of manned geosynchronous missions to transfers of bulk cargo and large-delicate space structures from low earth orbit to geosynchronous orbit.