NASA examines hybrid solar-electric propulsion for manned space missions
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The hybrid system allows for mission flexibility
Comparison of chemical fuels, cryogenic fuels and SEPs
How the hybrid system would leave Earth
Examples of hybrid missions
Examples of hybrid missions
Mars missions and the power requirements needed for propulsion
Example of a solar panel/Hall thruster array
A Hall thruster electric propulsion unit in operation
Article Summary
A marriage of the tortoise and the hare may be the key to exploring the Solar System. At least, that’s the belief of Nathan Strange, a mission formulation systems engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who has outlined a plan to use hybrid chemical/solar-electric propulsion systems for the manned exploration of the Moon, Mars and the asteroids.
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