Solar All-Electric Propulsion System

What is solar electric propulsion?

The Solar Electric Propulsion project has developed solar arrays that are lighter, stronger, more compact, and less expensive than those currently available. Solar electric propulsion provides such high fuel economy that it reduces the amount of propellant required onboard vehicles for deep-space missions by as much as 90 percent.

What is NASA's advanced electric propulsion system?

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.

What is the advanced electric propulsion system?

Testing of Gateway’s revolutionary propulsion system, known as the Advanced Electric Propulsion System, begins at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. In-space electric propulsion systems, such as SEP, tout extremely high fuel economy at lower thrust, providing mission flexibility and capabilities not achievable using traditional propulsion systems.

What is solar electric propulsion (SEP)?

The Solar Electric Propulsion project will demonstrate the key technologies necessary for robotic and human exploration-class SEP transportation systems as well as highly efficient orbit transfer capabilities for commercial space operations and science missions.

What are the two main sources of energy for electric propulsion?

An electric propulsion system uses energy collected by either solar arrays (solar electric propulsion) or a nuclear reactor (nuclear electric propulsion) to generate thrust.

What is in-space electric propulsion?

In-space electric propulsion is a radical system that can reduce the amount of fuel, or propellant, needed by up to 90% compared to chemical propulsion systems. This results in significant savings in launch costs and greater mission flexibility.