Solar Electric Propulsion



In Sept 2011, NASA selected five companies to develop concepts for demonstrating solar electric propulsion in space, important for human deep space missions: -- Analytical Mechanics Associates Inc., Hampton, Va. -- Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Boulder, Colo. -- The Boeing Company, Huntington Beach, Calif. -- Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Littleton, Colo. -- Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Redondo Beach, Calif.

Each company will provide a report to define a mission concept to demonstrate solar electric propulsion as well as the infrastructure required for a sustainable, affordable human presence in space.

NASA will use the studies to plan and implement a future flight demonstration mission that will test and validate key capabilities and technologies.

NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program is funding the studies.



http://www.nasa.gov/exploration
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/13/3907309/nasa-selects-companies-to-study.html