AAS 97-726
SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPULSION PERFORMANCE FOR MEDLITE AND DELTA CLASS PLANETARY MISSIONS
C.G. Sauer, Jr. - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Abstract
This paper presents performance of Solar-Electric-Propulsion (SEP) spacecraft for low-cost planetary missions using Delta and Medlite class launch vehicles. Performance is calculated based on measured throttling characteristics of 30 cm Xenon (NSTAR) thrusters. The planetary missions examined include single and multiple gravity assist missions to the outer planets, rendezvous and sample return missions to asteroids and comets and gravity assist orbiter missions to Mercury.