Game Changing Development
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 |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Ohio
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Glenn Research Center (GRC)
Responsible Program:
- Game Changing Development
Project Management
Project Duration
Start: Oct 2014
End: Sep 2023
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 5 |
| Current: | 6 |
| Estimated End: | 6 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Target Destinations
Earth, The Moon
Supported Mission Type
Planned Mission (Pull)
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