In-situ: a novel way to propel Electric Propulsion systems through the solar system
- Paper number
IAC-09.C4.4.8
- Author
Ms. Davina Di Cara, ESA, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Gonzales del Amo J.A., European Space Agency, The Netherlands
- Year
2009
- Abstract
To travel through the solar system using the resources available has been an old idea unfortunately not materialised yet. High specific impulse Electric Propulsion systems are recognised as key technologies to minimise propellant consumption for orbit transfer, cargo missions, and exploration missions. The combination of in-situ propellant exploitation and electric propulsion may be the best way to explore the solar system travelling from a body (mainly asteroids) to another in an autonomous way. To investigate the feasibility of this concept the ESA Concurrent Design Facility (CDF), financed by the ESA General Studies Programme, was requested to perform a feasibility study with the objective to identify main technological issues and address design solutions. In particular, the study aimed at: 1. identify bodies in the solar system with a composition usable as propellant, 2. assess the way of extracting propellant from the body, 2. identify the different strategies to navigate from body to body making use of the extracted propellant, 3. perform a system architecture analysis, 4. define the requirements for the electric propulsion systems capable to make a good use of these propellants and produce a technology roadmap for future activities. This paper summarizes the results of this study performed by an interdisciplinary team of ESA specialists.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)