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Solar Electric Propulsion for Mars Transport VehiclesSolar electric propulsion (SEP) is an alternative to chemical and nuclear powered propulsion systems for both piloted and unpiloted Mars transport vehicles. Photovoltaic solar cell and array technologies were evaluated as components of SEP power systems. Of the systems considered, the SEP power system composed of multijunction solar cells in an ENTECH domed fresnel concentrator array had the least array mass and area. Trip times to Mars optimized for minimum propellant mass were calculated. Additionally, a preliminary vehicle concept was designed.
Document ID
19910009865
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
J M Hickman (Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
H B Curtis (Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
S W Alexander (Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
J H Gilland (Sverdrup Maryland Heights, Missouri, United States)
K J Hack (Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
C Lawrence (Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
C K Swartz (Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publisher: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TM-103234
NAS 1.15:103234
E-5654
Accession Number
91N19178
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 326-31-15
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Solar electric propulsion
Electric propulsion
Ion thrusters
Mars transfer vehicle

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