Title :
Solar power system analyses for electric propulsion missions
Author :
Kerslake, Thomas W. ; Gefert, Leon P.
Author_Institution :
NASA Glenn Res. Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
fDate :
1/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Solar electric propulsion (SEP) mission architectures are applicable to a wide range of NASA missions including human Mars exploration and robotic exploration of the outer planets. In this paper, we discuss the conceptual design and detailed performance analysis of an SEP stage electric power system (EPS). EPS performance, mass and area predictions are compared for several PV array technologies. Based on these studies, an EPS design for a 1-MW class, Human Mars Mission SEP stage was developed with a reasonable mass, 9.4 metric tons, and feasible deployed array area, 5800 m2. An EPS was also designed for the Europa Mapper spacecraft and had a mass of 151 kg and a deployed array area of 106 m2
Keywords :
aerospace propulsion; electric propulsion; photovoltaic power systems; solar cell arrays; space vehicle power plants; 106 m; 151 kg; 5800 m; 9.4 tonne; Europa Mapper spacecraft; Hall thruster; Mars exploration; NASA missions; PV array technologies; area predictions; conceptual design; deployed array area; electric propulsion missions; mass predictions; outer planets; performance analysis; robotic exploration; solar power system analyses; Humans; Mars; NASA; Performance analysis; Planets; Propulsion; Robots; Solar energy; Space technology; Space vehicles;
Journal_Title :
Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, IEEE
