Non-chemical, non-nuclear advanced propulsion for space applications : panorama and roadmap
- Paper number
IAC-09.C4.6.1
- Author
Mr. Nicolas Berend, Office National d’Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales (ONERA), France
- Coauthor
Mr. Max Calabro, The Inner Arch, France
- Coauthor
Dr. Gregory L. Matloff, New York City College of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Christophe Bonnal, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France
- Coauthor
Dr. Ognjan Bozic, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Germany
- Year
2009
- Abstract
This position paper has been prepared in the frame of IAA Advanced Propulsion Working Group (IAA Study Group \#3.1) and is focused on non-chemical, non-nuclear propulsion concepts for space application, excluding Breakthrough-Propulsion Physics concepts. Four main families of propulsion concepts have been identified: catapult launch assist systems (chemical or electromagnetic railguns), beamed energy propulsion (Solar/Laser/Microwave Thermal Propulsion), beamed momentum propulsion (solar and electromagnetic sails) and tether systems (electromagnetic and momentum exchange tethers). The paper reminds the principle and physics behind each concept and variants and gives an updated view of the current Technological Readiness Level, including recent technological developments as well as ground and in-flight experimentations. The advantages, drawbacks and positioning of these concepts with regards to other propulsion solutions are discussed. Finally, a roadmap is proposed, including the next steps identified to increase the Technical Readiness Level and pave the way to operationnal space applications.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-09.C4.6.1.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.