Status of Sample Return Propulsion technology development under NASA's ISPT program

The In-Space Propulsion Technology (ISPT) program was tasked in 2009 to start development of propulsion technologies that would enable future sample return missions. ISPT's sample return technology development areas are diverse. Sample Return Propulsion (SRP) addresses electric propulsion for sample return and low cost Discovery-class missions, propulsion systems for Earth Return Vehicles (ERV) including transfer stages to the destination, and low technology readiness level (TRL) advanced propulsion technologies. The SRP effort continues work on HIVHAC thruster development to transition into developing a Hall-effect propulsion system for sample return (ERV and transfer stages) and low-cost missions. Previous work on the lightweight propellant-tanks continues for sample return with direct applicability to a Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission with general applicability to all future planetary spacecraft. The Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV) work focuses on building a fundamental base of multi-mission technologies for Earth Entry Vehicles (MMEEV). The main focus of the Planetary Ascent Vehicles (PAV) area is technology development for the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), which builds upon and leverages the past MAV analysis and technology developments from the Mars Technology Program (MTP) and previous MSR studies.

[1]  J. A. Samareh,et al.  An integrated tool for system analysis of sample return vehicles , 2012, 2012 IEEE Aerospace Conference.

[2]  Hani Kamhawi,et al.  Overview of the Development of a Low Cost High Voltage Hall Accelerator Propulsion System for NASA Science Missions , 2011 .

[3]  Richard Mattingly,et al.  Mars Sample Return as a campaign , 2011, 2011 Aerospace Conference.

[4]  A. Sengupta,et al.  Mars Ascent Vehicle system studies and baseline conceptual design , 2012, 2012 IEEE Aerospace Conference.

[5]  B. Sutter,et al.  Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV): Designing for high heritage and low risk , 2012, 2012 IEEE Aerospace Conference.

[6]  Eric Pencil,et al.  Sample return propulsion technology development under NASA's ISPT project , 2011, 2011 Aerospace Conference.

[7]  Greg Mungas,et al.  NOFBX™ single stage to Orbit Mars Ascent Vehicle , 2012, 2012 IEEE Aerospace Conference.

[8]  Michael Cupples,et al.  Application of Solar Electric Propulsion to a Comet Surface Sample Return Mission , 2004 .

[9]  Hani Kamhawi,et al.  Advanced Xenon Feed System (AXFS) Development and Hot-fire Testing , 2009 .

[10]  Eric Pencil,et al.  Propulsion Technology Development for Sample Return Missions Under NASA's ISPT Program , 2011 .

[11]  A. Sengupta,et al.  Systems engineering and support systems technology considerations of a Mars Ascent Vehicle , 2012, 2012 IEEE Aerospace Conference.

[12]  Anita Sengupta,et al.  Systems Engineering and Technology Considerations of a Mars Ascent Vehicle , 2012 .

[13]  Eric Pencil,et al.  The NASA In-Space Propulsion Technology Project's Current Products and Future Directions , 2010 .

[14]  Eric Pencil,et al.  In-Space Propulsion Technology products for NASA's future science and exploration missions , 2011, 2011 Aerospace Conference.

[15]  David Y. Oh.  Evaluation of Solar Electric Propulsion Technologies for Discovery Class Missions , 2007 .

[16]  J. W. Dankanich,et al.  Mars Ascent Vehicle development status , 2012, 2012 IEEE Aerospace Conference.