IONIC PROPULSION
Journal Article
·
· Astronaut. Sci. Rev.
OSTI ID:4179630
A description of the eight mechanics of both low and high acceleration for interplanetary missions is presented. It is shown that the low acceleration systems pay a large penalty in total momentum change requirements. An optimization procedure for low acceleration systems is given which leads to a simple relationship between mission requirenaents, payload fraction, power-plant specific power, and exhaust velocity. The energy limitation for electric propulsion systems utilizing a nuclear energy source is described and shown to give an upper limit to the missions of about 2 x 10/sup 5/ m/sec. It is shown that electric propulsion systems with a specific power capability of 0.1 kw/kg can compete favorably with chemical or heat exchanger type nuclear hydrogen rockets for the Mars round trip mission and are much superior for missions to the outer planets. The hardware problems associated with the attainment of a specific power of 0.1 kw/kg for an electric propulsion system are described. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Livermore
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-010900
- OSTI ID:
- 4179630
- Journal Information:
- Astronaut. Sci. Rev., Journal Name: Astronaut. Sci. Rev. Vol. Vol: 1, No. 3
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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