Abstract
This paper describes a noil-nuclear orbital test system capable of providing the long-duration space environment and power level required to qualify for space the electric propulsion engines now under NASA development. The vehicle makes use of a deployable flat-panel, solar-cell array operating in a near-polar orbit to provide reliable continuous electrical power for periods in excess of 150 days. The operation of electric thrusters will cause the test vehicle to spiral slowly upward, thus presenting an excellent platform from which to conduct such scientific experiments as a spatial survey of the intensities of the energetic particles trapped in the earth's magnetic field and a World Magnetic Survey.
Published Version
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