DocumentCode :
1933750
Title :
The status of spacecraft bus and platform technology development under the NASA ISPT program
Author :
Anderson, D.J. ; Munk, M.M. ; Pencil, E. ; Dankanich, J. ; Glaab, L. ; Peterson, T.
Author_Institution :
NASA Glenn Res. Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
fYear :
2013
fDate :
2-9 March 2013
Firstpage :
1
Lastpage :
16
Abstract :
The In-Space Propulsion Technology (ISPT) program is developing spacecraft bus and platform technologies that will enable or enhance NASA robotic science missions. The ISPT program is currently developing technology in four areas that include Propulsion System Technologies (electric and chemical), Entry Vehicle Technologies (aerocapture and Earth entry vehicles), Spacecraft Bus and Sample Return Propulsion Technologies (components and ascent vehicles), and Systems/Mission Analysis. Three technologies are ready for near-term flight infusion: 1) the high-temperature Advanced Material Bipropellant Rocket (AMBR) engine providing higher performance; 2) NASA´s Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) ion propulsion system, a 0.6-7 kW throttle-able gridded ion system; and 3) Aerocapture technology development with investments in a family of thermal protection system (TPS) materials and structures; guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) models of blunt-body rigid aeroshells; and aerothermal effect models. Two component technologies being developed with flight infusion in mind are the Advanced Xenon Flow Control System and ultra-lightweight propellant tank technologies. Future directions for ISPT are technologies that relate to sample return missions and other spacecraft bus technology needs like: 1) Mars Ascent Vehicles (MAV); 2) multi-mission technologies for Earth Entry Vehicles (MMEEV); and 3) electric propulsion. These technologies are more vehicles and mission-focused, and present a different set of technology development and infusion steps beyond those previously implemented. The Systems/Mission Analysis area is focused on developing tools and assessing the application of propulsion and spacecraft bus technologies to a wide variety of mission concepts. These in-space propulsion technologies are applicable, and potentially enabling for future NASA Discovery, New Frontiers, and sample return missions currently under consideration, as well as having broad applicabilit- to potential Flagship missions. This paper provides a brief overview of the ISPT program, describing the development status and technology infusion readiness of in-space propulsion technologies in the areas of electric propulsion, Aerocapture, Earth entry vehicles, propulsion components, Mars ascent vehicle, and mission/systems analysis.
Keywords :
aerospace propulsion; rocket engines; space research; space vehicle antennas; space vehicles; Advanced Xenon Flow Control System; Earth entry vehicles; Flagship missions; Mars Ascent Vehicles; NASA Discovery; NASA ISPT program; NASA robotic science missions; NASA´s Evolutionary Xenon Thruster; NEXT ion propulsion system; New Frontiers; aerocapture technology development; aerothermal effect models; ascent vehicles; blunt-body rigid aeroshells; electric propulsion; entry vehicle technologies; high-temperature Advanced Material Bipropellant Rocket engine; in-space propulsion technologies; in-space propulsion technology program; multimission technologies; near-term flight infusion; platform technology development; power 0.6 kW to 7 kW; propulsion system technologies; return missions; sample return propulsion technologies; spacecraft bus; systems/mission analysis; technology infusion readiness; thermal protection system materials; throttle-able gridded ion system; ultra-lightweight propellant tank technologies; Investment; NASA; Propulsion; Space vehicles; Testing; Xenon;
fLanguage :
English
Publisher :
ieee
Conference_Titel :
Aerospace Conference, 2013 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Big Sky, MT
ISSN :
1095-323X
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4673-1812-9
Type :
conf
DOI :
10.1109/AERO.2013.6496879
Filename :
6496879
Link To Document :
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