NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Orbital transfer of large space structures with nuclear electric rocketsThis paper discusses the potential application of electric propulsion for orbit transfer of a large spacecraft structure from low earth orbit to geosynchronous altitude in a deployed configuration. The electric power was provided by the spacecraft nuclear reactor space power system on a shared basis during transfer operations. Factors considered with respect to system effectiveness included nuclear power source sizing, electric propulsion thruster concept, spacecraft deployment constraints, and orbital operations and safety. It is shown that the favorable total impulse capability inherent in electric propulsion provides a potential economic advantage over chemical propulsion orbit transfer vehicles by reducing the number of Space Shuttle flights in ground-to-orbit transportation requirements.
Document ID
19800057727
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 Electric Thruster Section, Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1980
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
AAS PAPER 80-083
Accession Number
80A41897
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available