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Advanced space propulsion

Journal Article · · Aerospace America; (USA)
OSTI ID:6796950
 [1]
  1. Forward Unlimited, Malibu, CA (USA)
An evaluation is made of the conceptual development status and prospective performance gains anticipated from fully developed spacecraft propulsion systems of radically innovative character. Candidate systems encompass such widely different technologies as solar sails, tethers, laser-sustained ablative propellant evaporation, nuclear propulsion, solar-thermal propulsion, and such ultrahigh energy exotic fuels as metallic hydrogen, which has been calculated to be capable of yielding a specific impulse of 1700 sec; the most energetic current rockets, operating on LH2/LOX, yield 500 sec. The performance levels of these exotic propulsion systems are considered essential for the efficient exploration of Mars.
OSTI ID:
6796950
Journal Information:
Aerospace America; (USA), Journal Name: Aerospace America; (USA) Vol. 28; ISSN AEAME; ISSN 0740-722X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English