NASA studying solar-electric propulsion for “space tugboat”
Last year, NASA announced it was seeking proposals for mission concept studies of a high-power solar electric propulsion (SEP) system that could be used in a "space tugboat." Such a ship would be used ferry payloads in low Earth orbit (LEO) into higher energy orbits, saving on fuel and the use of expensive secondary boosters. NASA also anticipates an SEP system could be used to propel spacecraft into deep space for science missions and for the placement, service, resupply, repositioning and salvaging of space assets by commercial operators. .. Continue Reading NASA studying solar-electric propulsion for “space tugboat”
Section: Aero Gizmo
Tags: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Northrop Grumman, Solar, Spacecraft
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Last year, NASA announced it was seeking proposals for mission concept studies of a high-power solar electric propulsion (SEP) system that could be used in a "space tugboat." Such a ship would be used ferry payloads in low Earth orbit (LEO) into higher energy orbits, saving on fuel and the use of expensive secondary boosters. NASA also anticipates an SEP system could be used to propel spacecraft into deep space for science missions and for the placement, service, resupply, repositioning and salvaging of space assets by commercial operators. .. Continue Reading NASA studying solar-electric propulsion for “space tugboat”
Section: Aero Gizmo
Tags: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Northrop Grumman, Solar, Spacecraft
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