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Results for “propulsio”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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Low Thrust Mission Trajectories to Near Earth Asteroids

The discovery of 2016 HO3 and its classification as a quasi-satellite has sparked a stronger interest towards Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs). This work presents low-thrust low-power mission designs to various NEAs using an EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA). A global trajectory optimizer (EMTG) was used to generate mission solutions to a select 13 NEAs using a 200 watt BHT-200 thruster as a proof of concept. The missions presented here demonstrate that a low-cost electric propulsion ESPA mission to NEAs is a feasible concept for many asteroids.

Asteroid↗

In-Space Propulsion Assessment Processes and Criteria for Affordable Systems

In a world of high launch costs to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and of costs nearly twice as high to Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), it is clear that processes and criteria are required which will surface the path to greater affordability. Further, with propulsion systems making up a major part of the systems placed into multiple orbits, or beyond, it is clear that addressing propulsion systems for in-space propulsion (ISP) is a key part to breaking the barriers to affordable systems. While multitudes of Earth to Orbit transportation system efforts focus on reduced costs, the often neglected costs and related interactions of the in-space system equally require improvements that will enable broad end-to end customer affordability.

space propulsio↗