The Gateway Power and Propulsion Element Development Status
- Paper number
IAC-18,B3,1,8,x44022
- Author
Dr. Michele Gates, United States, NASA Headquarters
- Coauthor
Mr. Michael Barrett, United States, NASA Glenn Research Center
- Coauthor
Mr. Ronald Ticker, United States, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Coauthor
Ms. Vicki Crable, United States, NASA Glenn Research Center
- Coauthor
Mr. David Irimies, United States, NASA Glenn Research Center
- Coauthor
Dr. David Manzella, United States, NASA Glenn Research Center
- Coauthor
Mr. Caram Joe, United States, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Johnson Space Center
- Coauthor
Ms. Debra Ludban, United States, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Johnson Space Center
- Year
2018
- Abstract
The Power Propulsion Element (PPE) is to be the first element of the Lunar Orbiting Platform - Gateway (LOP-G) to arrive in cislunar space. PPE will soon be joined by other elements to create a human-tended outpost for exploration capabilities development in cislunar space and support human and robotic exploration of the lunar surface, Mars, and other destinations. The LOP-G will accommodate and support future human and robotic research missions, not only for NASA, but for international and commercial partners alike. PPE will demonstrate advanced 50 kilowatt class solar electric propulsion extensible for future deep space human exploration. It will provide LOP-G orbit maintenance and control, and transfer the LOP-G stack between cis-lunar orbits. PPE will also provide power for other LOP-G elements and external research sites as well as communications with Earth, visiting vehicles, relay for spacewalking crew members and lunar surface elements. Work on PPE is progressing rapidly toward a planned 2022 launch. In November 2017, NASA awarded five Power Propulsion Element Studies contracts solicited under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Appendix C. These studies address key drivers for PPE development and support for the LOP-G concept formulation. The five commercial vendors selected for these studies focused on performance trades and assessing strategic capabilities leveraging their existing and planned capabilities for PPE development. The results from the four-month vendor studies will be completed middle to late March 2018. Additionally, PPE draft reference Levels 3, 4, and 5 requirements have recently completed review and received approval. This paper will provide an update on PPE development, including context in sustained human exploration in lunar orbit.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-18,B3,1,8,x44022.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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