Solar electric propulsion (SEP) refers to the combination of solar cells and electric thrusters to propel a spacecraft through outer space. This technology has been exploited in a variety of spacecraft designs by the European Space Agency (ESA), the JAXA (Japanese Space Agency), Indian Space Research. Solar electric propulsion combines and one or more electric thrusters, used in tandem. There are many different types of electric thrusters, including a so-called, a term that is often. • mission to (launched)• to asteroids Vesta and Ceres (completed)• to. • • • • • • • • • •.
What is the solar electric propulsion project?
The SEP project is a part of the Technology Demonstration Missions program within NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate. NASA Glenn leads the Solar Electric Propulsion project for the agency. Meet Dr. Peter Peterson, an electric propulsion engineer at NASA's Glenn Research Center.
What is solar electric propulsion (SEP)?
Solar electric propulsion (SEP) refers to the combination of solar cells and electric thrusters to propel a spacecraft through outer space. This technology has been exploited in a variety of spacecraft designs by the European Space Agency (ESA), the JAXA (Japanese Space Agency), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA.
The advanced electric propulsion system is the next step in NASA's Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) project, which is developing critical technologies to extend the range and capabilities of ambitious new science and exploration missions.
Does NASA use solar electric propulsion?
Since then, NASA has increasingly relied on solar electric propulsion for long-duration, deep-space robotic science and exploration missions to multiple destinations, the most recent being NASA's Dawn mission. The Dawn mission, managed by JPL, surveyed the giant asteroid Vesta and the protoplanet, Ceres, between 2011 and 2015.
When was electric propulsion first used in space?
The first operational test of an electric propulsion system in space was Glenn's Space Electric Rocket Test 1, which flew on July 20, 1964. Since then, NASA has increasingly relied on solar electric propulsion for long-duration, deep-space robotic science and exploration missions to multiple destinations, the most recent being NASA's Dawn mission.
Will solar electric propulsion be needed for Mars?
Advanced solar electric propulsion will be needed for future human expeditions into deep space, including to Mars. Shown here is a 13-kilowatt Hall thruster being evaluated at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Hall thrusters trap electrons in a magnetic field and use them to ionize the onboard propellant.