Ion propulsion technology requirements for planetary mission applications

Abstract

Integrating a clustered, four engine ion propulsion system to the Mariner Mark II spacecraft is shown to reduce total trip time for the five proposed Mariner Mark II missions by fifteen years. In addition, this advanced Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) system enables rendezvous encounters with five main belt asteroids rather than one. A precursor Advanced Capability Explorer (ACE) technology demonstration vehicle is proposed to investigate SEP spacecraft interaction and control requirements in support of these future mission opportunities. It is shown that the ACE spacecraft could be assembled from existing residual hardware, protoflight equipment and commercially available flight tested components. The ion propulsion system requirements to support ambitious Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) missions are also examined and specific technology development objectives presented.