Ion thruster development at NASA Lewis Research Center

Sovey, James S.; Hamley, John A.; Patterson, Michael J.; Rawlin, Vincent K.; Sarver-Verhey, Timothy R.

doi:10.1063/1.43092

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…A reliable ion thruster makes up the other essential part of a propulsive unit. A variety of thrusters has been researched for different applications over the years [12] [13] [14]. Significant progress has been made in reducing the mass and extending the lifetime of lowpower, inert-gas (xenon, krypton, argon) ion thrusters in recent years.…”

Section: Rep Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Radioisotope electric propulsion of sciencecraft to the outer solar system and near-interstellar space

Noble

1999

Acta Astronautica

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Recent results are presented in the study of radioisotope electric propulsion as a near-term technology for sending small robotic sciencecraft to the outer Solar System and near-interstellar space. Radioisotope electric propulsion (REP) systems are low-thrust, ion propulsion units based on radioisotope electric generators and ion thrusters. Powerplant specific masses are expected to be in the range of 100 to 200 kg/kW of thrust power. Planetary rendezvous missions to Pluto, fast missions to the heliopause (100 AU) with the capability to decelerate an orbiter for an extended science program and prestellar missions to the first gravitational lens focus of the Sun (550 AU) are investigated.

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Section: Rep Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, the mass of a NASA developmental 30 cm thruster (Lewis Research Center) excluding the power processing unit (PPU) is estimated at 7 kg [12]. An added gimbal assembly for maintaining proper thrust vectoring has a mass of 34% of the thruster mass (2.4 kg in this case).…”

Section: Rep Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%