Low-thrust rocket trajectories
The development of low-thrust propulsion systems to complement chemical propulsion systems will greatly enhance the evolution of future space programs. Two advantages of low-thrust rockets are stressed: first, in a strong gravitational field, such as occurs near the Earth, freighter missions with low-thrust engines require one-tenth as much propellant as do chemical engines. Second, in a weak gravitational field, such as occurs in the region between Venus and Mars, low-thrust rockets are faster than chemical rockets with comparable propellant mass. The purpose here is to address the physics of low-thrust trajectories and to interpret the results with two simple models. Analytic analyses are used where possible - otherwise, the results of numerical calculations are presented in graphs. The author has attempted to make this a self-contained report.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 6237070
- Report Number(s):
- LA-10625-MS-Rev.; ON: DE87006307
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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PROPULSION SYSTEMS
ACCELERATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ROCKETS
TRAJECTORIES
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
POWER SYSTEMS
ROCKET ENGINES
SPACE FLIGHT
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENGINES
EQUATIONS
MATHEMATICS
MOBILE REACTORS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
POWER REACTORS
PROPULSION REACTORS
REACTORS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
VEHICLES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
220800* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Propulsion Reactors