Sub-Kilowatt Radioisotope Electric Propulsion for Outer Solar System Exploration

An activity has begun to perform a multi-mission trajectory/systems analysis study that examines the combined benefit of three key technology development areas. The three key technologies leveraged in the study include sub-kilowatt ion propulsion, Stirling radioisotope power systems and microelectronics/lightweight spacecraft bus technologies. This study is being performed jointly by NASA Glenn Research Center and the Applied Physics Laboratory to leverage their combined areas of expertise in advanced power/propulsion and spacecraft design. Missions examined in this study include missions to outer planets' moons, such as Europa, Titan, and Triton, and a Comet Nucleus Sample Return mission. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.