Space station propulsion system trade study

Abstract

This study evaluates alternative space station propulsion system options for a range of space station configurational and operational architectures. Space station propulsion requirements ranging from those representative of the first generation space station to those of an advanced space station with a space based OTV are considered. A methodology for comparing the candidate propulsion technologies is developed which considers design/development/qualification and operational costs, system mass, performance, reliability, and other relevant parameters. Advanced propulsion systems are shown to reduce space station costs by providing higher performance but to require a larger front end investment for development and qualification. This study indicates that if the full potential of such systems is to be realized, then low cost implementations of this technology must be developed.