[meteorite-list] NASA Issues Announcement For Solar Electric Propulsion Studies

[Ron Baalke]

June 17, 2011

J.D. Harrington/Michael Braukus 
Headquarters, Washington      
202-358-5241/1979 
j.d.harrington at nasa.gov/michael.j.braukus at nasa.gov 

Lori J. Rachul 
Glenn Research Center, Cleveland 
216-433-8806 
lori.j.rachul at nasa.gov   


RELEASE: 11-191

NASA ISSUES ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPULSION STUDIES

CLEVELAND -- NASA issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeking 
proposals for mission concept studies of a solar electric propulsion 
system demonstration to test and validate key capabilities and 
technologies for future exploration missions. 

Multiple studies have shown the advantages of using solar electric 
propulsion to efficiently transport heavy payloads from low Earth 
orbit to higher orbits. This concept enables the delivery of payloads 
to low Earth orbit via conventional chemical rockets. The use of 
solar electric propulsion could then spiral payloads out to higher 
energy orbits, including Lagrange point one, a potential assembly 
point in space between Earth and the moon. This approach could 
facilitate missions to near Earth asteroids and other destinations in 
deep space. 

Science missions could use solar electric propulsion to reach distant 
regions of the solar system, and commercial missions could use solar 
electric propulsion tugs to place, service, resupply, reposition and 
salvage space assets. NASA's strategic roadmaps for exploration, 
science and advanced technology all consider solar electric 
propulsion a vital and necessary future capability. 

NASA is examining potential mission concepts for a high-power solar 
electric propulsion system demonstration. Flying a demonstration 
mission on a representative trajectory through the Van Allen 
radiation belts and operating in actual space environments could 
reveal unknown systems-level and operational issues. Mission data 
will lower the technical and cost risk associated with future solar 
electric propulsion spacecraft. The flight demonstration mission 
would test and validate key capabilities and technologies required 
for future exploration elements such as a 300 kilowatt solar electric 
transfer vehicle. 

This Solar Electric Propulsion Demonstration Mission Concept Studies 
announcement is open to all non-government United States 
institutions, academia, industry and nonprofit organizations. NASA 
anticipates making multiple firm-fixed-priced awards with a total 
value up to $2 million. The deadline for submitting proposals is July 
18. 

NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is managing the broad agency 
announcement for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate and 
relevant technology activities for the Office of the Chief 
Technologist. For more information about the announcement, visit: 

http://nspires.nasaprs.com 

For more information about NASA and exploration programs, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov   
	
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