Nuclear electric propulsion system utilization for earth orbit transfer of large spacecraft structuresThe paper discusses a potential application of electric propulsion to perform orbit transfer of a large spacecraft structure to geosynchronous orbit (GEO) from LEO, utilizing a nuclear reactor space power source in the spacecraft on a shared basis. The discussions include spacecraft, thrust system, and nuclear reactor space power system concepts. Emphasis is placed on orbiter payload arrangements, spacecraft launch constraints, and spacecraft LEO assembly and deployment sequences.
Document ID
19800054805
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Silva, T. H. (Aerospace Corp. El Segundo, Calif., United States)
Byers, D. C. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)