Leon P. Gefert

Options for the human exploration of Mars using Solar Electric propulsion

Solar Electric propulsion (SEP) is examined as a candidate transportation option for human missions to Mars. Focus is given to an Earth-escape staging concept. This concept uses a SEP system to transfer from low earth orbit (LEO) to a high-energy elliptical parking orbit (HEEPO) and a chemical propulsion system to transfer from the HEEPO to a hyperbolic escape trajectory. LEO to Earth escape performance of these combined transportation systems is comparable to that of a nuclear thermal rocket (NTR). As a result, a mass efficient non-nuclear transportation architecture with fast, 180 day, Earth-to-Mars piloted transit times is enabled.

Solar power system analyses for electric propulsion missions

Solar electric propulsion (SEP) mission architectures are applicable to a wide range of NASA missions including human Mars exploration and robotic exploration of the outer planets. In this paper, we discuss the conceptual design and detailed performance analysis of an SEP stage electric power system (EPS). EPS performance, mass and area predictions are compared for several PV array technologies. Based on these studies, an EPS design for a 1-MW class, Human Mars Mission SEP stage was developed with a reasonable mass, 9.4 metric tons, and feasible deployed array area, 5800 m/sup 2/. An EPS was also designed for the Europa Mapper spacecraft and had a mass of 151 kg and a deployed array area of 106 m/sup 2/.

A Method of Efficient Inclination Changes for Low-thrust Spacecraft

The evolution of low-thrust propulsion technologies has reached a point where such systems have become an economical option for many space missions. The development of efficient, low trip time control laws has received an increasing amount of attention in recent years, though few studies have examined the subject of inclination changing maneuvers in detail. A method for performing economical inclination changes through the use of an efficiency factor is derived front Lagranges planetary equations. The efficiency factor can be used to regulate propellant expenditure at the expense of trip time. Such a method can be used for discontinuous-thrust transfers that offer reduced propellant masses and trip-times in comparison to continuous thrust transfers, while utilizing thrusters that operate at a lower specific impulse. Performance comparisons of transfers utilizing this approach with continuous-thrust transfers are generated through trajectory simulation and are presented in this paper.

Piloted Mars mission planning: NEP technology and power levels

This paper examines the strong interrelationship between assumed technology and mission performance requirements for NEP. Recent systems analysis efforts by NASA, DOE, and various contractors are used to project achievable system performance as a function of technological sophistication for two piloted Mars mission applications. Specific mass regimes for each collection of technologies are presented as a function of power level for piloted applications. Low thrust mission analyses are presented which relate these system performance projections to achievable mission performance. Mission performance ‘‘maps’’ are constructed which link prime mission figures‐of‐merit of time and initial mass with system requirements on power level and specific mass, and hence technology. Both opposition and conjunction class piloted Mars missions are presented for the 2016 opportunity, analogous to those proposed in the ‘‘90‐Day Study’’ and ‘‘Synthesis’’ architecture studies. Mass and time breakdowns are presented for 10 MWe ...

Crew Exploration Vehicle Ascent Abort Trajectory Analysis and Optimization

The Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle is the first crewed capsule design to be developed by NASA since Project Apollo. Unlike Apollo, however, the CEV is being designed for service in both Lunar and International Space Station missions. Ascent aborts pose some issues that were not present for Apollo, due to its launch azimuth, nor Space Shuttle, due to its cross range capability. The requirement that a North Atlantic splashdown following an abort be avoidable, in conjunction with the requirement for overlapping abort modes to maximize crew survivability, drives the thrust level of the service module main engine. This paper summarizes 3DOF analysis conducted by NASA to aid in the determination of the appropriate propulsion system for the service module, and the appropriate propellant loading for ISS missions such that crew survivability is maximized.