Using VASIMR® for the Proposed Europa Mission

Abstract

We explore the capability of a VASIMR ® reusable probe "catapult" concept to send a 4000-5000 kg spacecraft to Jupiter on a Hohmann-like transfer orbit, arriving in just 36 months elapsed time. The VASIMR ® performs a slingshot pass close to the Sun and uses the high level of available solar energy to produce a sustained burst of high thrust. Enough kinetic energy is provided to the probe to reach Jupiter orbit within 0.7-1.4 AU. The Catapult release the probe with enough speed to reach Jupiter in three years, and returns to Earth for another mission. This study identifies the important parameters in the probe ejector operation (power level, propellant mass, payload release point, distance of closest approach to the Sun), and scan these parameters to understand and optimize the capabilities of the proposed system. We assume that the Catapult and its payload begin at the Earth's sphere of influence (SOI), and are coasting in the Earth's orbit about the Sun. The VASIMR ® engine's power rating must match the peak power available when the spacecraft is closest to the Sun. The solar array is assumed to be a planar array rather than a concentrator since it will have to operate near the Sun, where a concentrator would overheat photovoltaic cells. The feasibility of not releasing the payload and using the VASIMR ® to provide thrust for the duration of the transfer orbit will also be examined. In this scenario, the VASIMR ® RF generators could serve double duty as radar RF sources.

Fusion and Space

“…На основе полученных результатов рассмотрены возможные применения представленных двигателей для космических миссий [33,[36][37][38][39][40][41] в диапазоне мощности 0,1-200 МВт и удельных импульсов 2000-10 000 с. Проекты охватывают как их использование внутри сферы притяжения Земли (переходы между орбитами, обслуживание станций, уборка космического мусора), так и для лунных программ, грузовых и пилотируемых полётов на Марс, отклонения астероидов и исследования дальнего космоса.…”

Innovative Mars Global International Exploration (IMaGInE) Mission - First Place Winning Paper

“…These engines have one of the highest I sp (5096 s) and thrust of all electric engines currently in development (5.76 N). 2 Due to the fact that each engine requires 200 kW of electrical power, a powerful Electrical Power System (EPS) is necessary. To find the most suitable technology for the EPS, a trade-off has been conducted.…”

Development Toward a Spaceflight Capable VASIMR® Engine and SEP Applications

“…An accompanying paper discusses the deep space application that enables exciting missions to the Jupiter system to explore the recent discovery of activity at Europa. 19 Such VASIMR ® -SEP space tugs can also provide great benefits to human exploration of Mars 20 and many more applications.…”