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{{Short description|High efficiency engine for space travel}}
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[[File:Deep Space 1 clean (PIA04242).png|thumb|Artistic view of Deep Space 1, showing both the solar panels and ion engine (with blue exhaust), major aspects of this solar electric design. Solar energy may also be temporarily stored in chemical battery inside the spacecraft bus]]
{{Use American English|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}


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[[File:Deep Space 1 clean (PIA04242).png|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Artistic view of [[Deep Space 1]], showing both the [[Solar panels on spacecraft|solar panels]] and [[Ion thruster|ion engine]] (with blue exhaust), major aspects of this solar electric design. [[Solar energy]] may also be temporarily stored in chemical batteries inside the [[Satellite bus|spacecraft bus]].]]
[[File:Dawn xenon tank.jpg|thumb|The Dawn spacecraft's Xenon tank prior to integration with spacecraft. The Xenon was the propellant for the solar-power ion drive of the spacecraft which would go on to orbit two different asteroids in the early 21st century]]
[[File:Dawn xenon tank.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|The [[Dawn (spacecraft)|Dawn]] spacecraft's [[xenon]] tank prior to integration with spacecraft. The xenon was the propellant for the solar-power ion drive of the spacecraft which would go on to orbit two different asteroids in the early 21st century.]]
[[File:ISS-52 Roll Out Solar Array (ROSA) (4).jpg|right|thumb|350px|Roll-out solar panel tested in Earth Orbit at the [[International Space Station]], 2017]]
[[File:ISS-52 Roll Out Solar Array (ROSA) (4).jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Roll-out solar panel tested in Earth Orbit at the [[International Space Station]] (ISS), 2017.]]
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'''Solar electric propulsion''' (SEP) typically refers to the combination of [[solar cells]] and an [[ion drive]] to propel a spacecraft through [[outer space]].<ref name=NASA>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/sep/index.html|title=Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP)|last=Mohon|first=Lee|website=NASA|access-date=2016-04-24}}</ref> This technology has been exploited in a variety of spacecraft by the [[European Space Agency]], the [[JAXA|Japanese Space Agency]], and [[NASA]].<ref name=NASA>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/sep/index.html|title=Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP)|last=Mohon|first=Lee|website=NASA|access-date=2016-04-24}}</ref> SEP is valued for its potential for a high specific impulse, thus allowing less mass for propellant to be launched with a spacecraft and it has been evaluated for mission to Mars.<ref>[https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20050181421.pdf Solar Electric Propulsion for Mars Exploration] NASA, 2005-01-08.</ref>


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'''Solar electric propulsion''' (SEP) refers to the combination of [[solar cells]] and [[Spacecraft electric propulsion|electric thrusters to propel a spacecraft]] through [[outer space]].<ref name=NASA>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/sep/index.html|title=Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP)|last=Mohon|first=Lee|publisher=NASA|access-date=2016-04-24}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> This technology has been exploited in a variety of spacecraft designs by the [[European Space Agency]] (ESA), the [[JAXA]] (Japanese Space Agency), [[Indian Space Research Organisation]] (ISRO) and [[NASA]].<ref name=NASA/> SEP has a significantly higher specific impulse than chemical rocket propulsion, thus requiring less propellant mass to be launched with a spacecraft. The technology has been evaluated for missions to Mars.<ref name="NTRS">{{cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20050181421|title=Solar Electric Propulsion for Mars Exploration|publisher=NASA|date=1 April 1998|access-date=28 March 2021}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
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==Overview==


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== Overview ==
Solar electric propulsion combines [[solar panels on spacecraft]] and [[ion thruster]]s, used in tandem. However, there are a number of other types of [[electrically powered spacecraft propulsion]] such as [[arcjet rocket]]s. It may not employ an ion drive, of which there is a variety of types also.
Solar electric propulsion combines [[solar panels on spacecraft]] and one or more electric thrusters, used in tandem. There are many different types of electric thrusters, including a so-called [[ion thruster]], a term that is often incorrectly used to describe all types of electric thrusters.


It is also possible to generate electricity from the Sun without using [[Photovoltaics|photovoltaic]] panels, such as with solar concentrators and a [[Stirling engine]].
It is also possible to generate electricity from the Sun without using [[Photovoltaics|photovoltaic]] panels, such as with solar concentrators and a [[Stirling engine]].


A 50 kilowatt SEP system was studied in the 2010s for a mission to an asteroid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/human-spaceflight/solar-electric-propulsion-nasas-engine-mars-beyond/|title=Solar Electric Propulsion: NASA's engine to Mars and Beyond - SpaceFlight Insider|website=www.spaceflightinsider.com|access-date=2018-07-28}}</ref> In February 2012 NASA awarded a contract for a Solar Electric Propulsion Flight System .<ref name="NNC11ZMA017K-award">{{cite web |url=http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3041 |title=NASA Awards Solar Electric Propulsion Flight System Contract}}</ref>
A 50 [[Watt|kilowatt]] SEP system was studied in the 2010s for a mission to an asteroid.<ref name="SI20160226">{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/human-spaceflight/solar-electric-propulsion-nasas-engine-mars-beyond/|title=Solar Electric Propulsion: NASA's engine to Mars and Beyond |website=SpaceFlight Insider |date=26 February 2016|access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> In February 2012, NASA awarded a contract for a Solar Electric Propulsion Flight System.<ref name="NNC11ZMA017K-award">{{cite web|url=http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3041 |title=NASA Awards Solar Electric Propulsion Flight System Contract |date=February 10, 2012 |work=Energy Matters}}</ref>


An example of work on this type of technology is [[Advanced Electric Propulsion System]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-centers/glenn-research-center/advanced-electric-propulsion-system-successfully-tested-nasa-glenn-research-center/|title=Advanced Electric Propulsion System successfully tested at NASA's Glenn Research Center - SpaceFlight Insider|website=www.spaceflightinsider.com|access-date=2018-07-28}}</ref>
An example of work on this type of technology is [[Advanced Electric Propulsion System]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-centers/glenn-research-center/advanced-electric-propulsion-system-successfully-tested-nasa-glenn-research-center/|title=Advanced Electric Propulsion System successfully tested at NASA's Glenn Research Center |website=SpaceFlight Insider |date=July 8, 2017 |access-date=2018-07-28}}</ref>


The [[NASA Solar Technology Application Readiness]] (NSTAR) ion engine has been used with photovoltaic solar panels, which was tested on the [[Deep Space 1]] mission along with Solar Concentrator Arrays (Launched in 1998 as part of the [[New Millennium Program]]) <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/nmp/ds1/tech/index.php |title=Advanced Technologies |publisher=NASA{{\}}Jet Propulsion Laboratory |accessdate=20 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/deep-space-1/in-depth/|title=In Depth {{!}} Deep Space 1 – Solar System Exploration: NASA Science|work=Solar System Exploration: NASA Science|access-date=2018-08-08}}</ref>
The [[NASA Solar Technology Application Readiness]] (NSTAR) ion engine has been used with photovoltaic solar panels, which was tested on the [[Deep Space 1]] mission along with Solar Concentrator Arrays (Launched in 1998 as part of the [[New Millennium Program]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/nmp/ds1/tech/index.php|title=Advanced Technologies|publisher=NASA{{\}}Jet Propulsion Laboratory |access-date=20 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/deep-space-1/in-depth/|title=Deep Space 1 |work=Solar System Exploration|publisher=NASA|access-date=2018-08-08}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>


SEP has been studied as a technology for a mission to Mars.<ReF>[https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20050181421.pdf]</reF> In particular the high [[specific impulse]] of the ion engines could lower overall mass and avoid having to use nuclear technology for power when couple with solar panels.<reF>[https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20050181421.pdf</ref> A 1998 study for SEP for a human mission suggest that a human-sized spacecraft would need 600 to 800 kilowats of electrical power coupled with ion engines with a specific impulse of 2 to 2.5 thousand.<reF>[https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20050181421.pdf]</ref>
SEP has been studied as a technology for a mission to Mars.<ref name="NTRS"/> In particular the high [[specific impulse]] of the ion engines could lower overall mass and avoid having to use nuclear technology for power when coupled with solar panels.<ref name="NTRS"/> A 1998 study for SEP for a human mission suggest that a human-sized spacecraft would need 600 to 800 kilowatts of electrical power coupled with ion engines with a specific impulse of 2000 to 2500 seconds.<ref name="NTRS"/>


==Mission examples==
== Mission examples ==
* [[BepiColombo]] mission to [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] (launched) <ref>[http://sci.esa.int/bepicolombo/47346-fact-sheet/ BepiColombo Fact Sheet] European Space Agency, 2010-07-05.</ref>
* [[BepiColombo]] mission to [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] (launched)<ref>[http://sci.esa.int/bepicolombo/47346-fact-sheet/ BepiColombo Fact Sheet] European Space Agency, 2010-07-05</ref>
* [[Dawn (spacecraft)|Dawn]] asteroids mission (launched)
* [[Dawn (spacecraft)|Dawn]] to asteroids Vesta and Ceres (completed)
* [[Deep Space 1]] asteroid and comet mission (launched)
* [[Deep Space 1]] to asteroid Braille and comet Borrelly (completed)
* [[Hayabusa]] asteroid mission (launched)
* [[GSAT-9]] communication (launched)
* [[Hayabusa]] to asteroid Itokawa (completed)
* [[Asteroid Redirect Mission]] (cancelled)
* [[Hayabusa2]] to asteroid Ryugu (primary mission completed, extended mission ongoing)
* [[Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway]] (planned)
* [[Lunar Gateway]] space station orbiting the Moon (under construction)
* [[Psyche (spacecraft)|Psyche]] asteroid mission (planned)
* [[Psyche (spacecraft)|Psyche]] to asteroid Psyche (launched)
* [[GSAT-20]] (under construction)


==Electric propulsion technologies==
== Electric propulsion technologies ==
*[[Resistojet rocket]]
* [[Resistojet rocket]]
*[[Ion thruster]]
* [[Ion thruster]]
**[[High Power Electric Propulsion]]
** [[High Power Electric Propulsion]]
*[[Pulsed plasma thruster]]
* [[Pulsed plasma thruster]]
*[[Hall-effect thruster]]
* [[Hall-effect thruster]]
*[[Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster]]
* [[Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster]]
* [[Microwave electrothermal thruster]]
*[[Field-emission electric propulsion]]
* [[Field-emission electric propulsion]]
*[[Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket]] (VASMIR)
* [[Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket]] (VASMIR)

[[:Category:Ion engines]]

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==See also==
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*[[Solar thermal rocket]]
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*[[Nuclear electric rocket]]
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*[[Batteries in space]]
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*[[Solar sails]]
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*[[Solar panels on spacecraft]]
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*[[Liquid-propellant rocket]]
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*[[Sterling engine]]

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==References==
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{{Reflist}}


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== See also ==
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* [[Batteries in space]]
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* [[Liquid-propellant rocket]]
* [[List of spacecraft with electric propulsion]]
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* [[Nuclear electric rocket]]
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* [[Solar panels on spacecraft]]
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* [[Solar sail]]
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* [[Solar thermal rocket]]
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* [[Stirling engine]]


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== References ==
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{{Reflist|30em}}


[[Category:Solar power and space]]
[[Category:Solar power and space]]

Latest revision as of 19:18, 26 March 2024

Artistic view of Deep Space 1, showing both the solar panels and ion engine (with blue exhaust), major aspects of this solar electric design. Solar energy may also be temporarily stored in chemical batteries inside the spacecraft bus.
The Dawn spacecraft's xenon tank prior to integration with spacecraft. The xenon was the propellant for the solar-power ion drive of the spacecraft which would go on to orbit two different asteroids in the early 21st century.
Roll-out solar panel tested in Earth Orbit at the International Space Station (ISS), 2017.

Solar electric propulsion (SEP) refers to the combination of solar cells and electric thrusters to propel a spacecraft through outer space.[1] This technology has been exploited in a variety of spacecraft designs by the European Space Agency (ESA), the JAXA (Japanese Space Agency), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA.[1] SEP has a significantly higher specific impulse than chemical rocket propulsion, thus requiring less propellant mass to be launched with a spacecraft. The technology has been evaluated for missions to Mars.[2]

Übersicht

[edit]

Solar electric propulsion combines solar panels on spacecraft and one or more electric thrusters, used in tandem. There are many different types of electric thrusters, including a so-called ion thruster, a term that is often incorrectly used to describe all types of electric thrusters.

It is also possible to generate electricity from the Sun without using photovoltaic panels, such as with solar concentrators and a Stirling engine.

A 50 kilowatt SEP system was studied in the 2010s for a mission to an asteroid.[3] In February 2012, NASA awarded a contract for a Solar Electric Propulsion Flight System.[4]

An example of work on this type of technology is Advanced Electric Propulsion System.[5]

The NASA Solar Technology Application Readiness (NSTAR) ion engine has been used with photovoltaic solar panels, which was tested on the Deep Space 1 mission along with Solar Concentrator Arrays (Launched in 1998 as part of the New Millennium Program).[6][7]

SEP has been studied as a technology for a mission to Mars.[2] In particular the high specific impulse of the ion engines could lower overall mass and avoid having to use nuclear technology for power when coupled with solar panels.[2] A 1998 study for SEP for a human mission suggest that a human-sized spacecraft would need 600 to 800 kilowatts of electrical power coupled with ion engines with a specific impulse of 2000 to 2500 seconds.[2]

Mission examples

[edit]
  • BepiColombo mission to Mercury (launched)[8]
  • Dawn to asteroids Vesta and Ceres (completed)
  • Deep Space 1 to asteroid Braille and comet Borrelly (completed)
  • GSAT-9 communication (launched)
  • Hayabusa to asteroid Itokawa (completed)
  • Hayabusa2 to asteroid Ryugu (primary mission completed, extended mission ongoing)
  • Lunar Gateway space station orbiting the Moon (under construction)
  • Psyche to asteroid Psyche (launched)
  • GSAT-20 (under construction)

Electric propulsion technologies

[edit]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Mohon, Lee. "Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP)". NASA. Retrieved 24 April 2016. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c d "Solar Electric Propulsion for Mars Exploration". NASA. 1 April 1998. Retrieved 28 March 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ "Solar Electric Propulsion: NASA's engine to Mars and Beyond". SpaceFlight Insider. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  4. ^ "NASA Awards Solar Electric Propulsion Flight System Contract". Energy Matters. 10 February 2012.
  5. ^ "Advanced Electric Propulsion System successfully tested at NASA's Glenn Research Center". SpaceFlight Insider. 8 July 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  6. ^ "Advanced Technologies". NASA / Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  7. ^ "Deep Space 1". Solar System Exploration. NASA. Retrieved 8 August 2018. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ BepiColombo Fact Sheet European Space Agency, 2010-07-05
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