Technology Demonstration Missions
Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP)
Project Introduction
Mission planning for infusion in the ARRM mission with key technology developments including: - Design, develop, and test a high-power, 12.5 kW Hall Effect thruster. - Design, develop, and test a high-power (120-to-800V) processing unit (PPU) using innovative silicon carbide circuits to overcome the challenges of high power PPU design, and thereby enable the development of future high power electric propulsion systems. - Mature flexible membrane solar array designs to be ready for flight development. - Demonstrate full, integrated performance of 120-to-800V PPU with 12.5-kW Hall Effect thruster strings powered by electricity from multiple 20+kW class flexible solar array wings.
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Anticipated Benefits
The technology will enable the use of high power electric propulsion systems for long term missions such as cargo transports to Mars.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Glenn Research Center
(GRC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Cleveland, OH |
| Aerojet Rocketdyne | Supporting Organization | Industry | |
| Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. | Supporting Organization | Industry | Hampton, VA |
| Ball Aerospace | Supporting Organization | Industry | Broomfield, CO |
| Boeing | Supporting Organization | Industry | Chicago, IL |
| DSS | Supporting Organization | Industry | |
| ExoTerra Resource, LLC | Supporting Organization | Industry | Littleton, CO |
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Pasadena, CA |
|
Langley Research Center
(LaRC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Hampton, VA |
| Lockheed Martin Corporation | Supporting Organization | Industry | |
|
Marshall Space Flight Center
(MSFC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Huntsville, AL |
| Northrop Grumman Corporation | Supporting Organization | Industry | Redondo Beach, CA |
| Ohio Aerospace Institute | Supporting Organization | U.S. Government | Brook Park, OH |
| Orbital ATK | Supporting Organization | Industry | |
| Sierra Lobo Inc. | Supporting Organization | Industry | |
| Space Systems/Loral, LLC | Supporting Organization | Industry | San Jose, CA |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Alabama
-
California
-
Colorado
-
Maryland
-
Ohio
-
Virginia
-
Washington
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Glenn Research Center (GRC)
Responsible Program:
- Technology Demonstration Missions
Project Management
Project Duration
Start: Oct 2013
End: Sep 2023
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 4 |
| Current: | 4 |
| Estimated End: | 9 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TA2 In-Space Propulsion Technologies
- TA2.2 Non-Chemical Propulsion
- TA2.2.1 Electric Propulsion
Other / Cross-cutting:
- TA3 Space Power and Energy Storage
- TA3.1 Power Generation
- TA3.1.3 Solar
- TA3.3 Power Management and Distribution
- TA3.3.5 Conversion and Regulation
- TA12 Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems and Manufacturing
- TA12.1 Materials
- TA12.1.3 Flexible Material Systems
- TA12.2 Structures
- TA12.2.1 Lightweight Concepts
Target Destinations
The Moon, Others Inside the Solar System, Mars
Supported Mission Type
Planned Mission (Pull)
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