National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Small Business Innovation Research 2001 Program Solicitation

TOPIC A6 In-Space Transportation

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A6.01 High Energy Propulsion Technologies
A6.02 Propellantless Propulsion

Opening the space frontier for exploration, science and commerce will require breakthroughs in in-space transportation technologies. Over half of all spacecraft launched have a final destination beyond low Earth orbit and require some sort of in-space transportation system to get them there. Traditional chemical propulsion systems are inadequate to meet the needs of the next generation of space exploration missions. New technologies or innovative applications of existing technologies for in-space transportation that potentially result in increases in safety and reliability, significantly lower costs, reduced trip times and/or increased payload mass fractions are sought. Transportation technologies to meet these goals can generally be divided into two categories: those utilizing high-energy power sources for thrust and those that obtain propulsion through interaction with the natural environment of space or offboard energy. High Energy Electric and Plasma Propulsion systems can include electrostatic and electromagnetic propulsion, thermal propulsion (fission or solar derived), as well as more futuristic systems based on beamed power, fusion, antimatter, nuclear isomers, and other high-energy density technologies. Propellantless Propulsion systems include solar, plasma, and beamed energy sails; electrodynamic and momentum transfer tethers and elevators; aeroassist, aerocapture, and aerogravity techniques. Technologies that are supportive of these advanced transportation technologies at either the system or subsystem level are of interest. Technologies that support both NASA and commercial space needs are of particular interest.

A6.01 High Energy Propulsion Technologies
Lead Center: MSFC
Participating Center(s): GRC

This subtopic focuses on high energy space transportation propulsion technologies, devices, and systems that could dramatically improve space transportation capability, cost, safety, and reliability and could lead to ambitious robotic and human exploration of the solar system and beyond. Proposals are solicited for innovative research related to high energy, high efficiency space propulsion. Technologies that can be applied to high-payoff commercial applications are of particular interest. Proposals should include analyses addressing feasibility and mission suitability, and plans for demonstrating concept feasibility via test/experiment. Areas of interest include:

• Systems, subsystems, and components needed to enable high efficiency (Isp is greater than 2000 s) in-space propulsion systems with overall propulsion system specific power exceeding 200 W/kg at any point in the solar system.
• Fission propulsion systems, components, and technologies that enable high performance. Technologies may include safety and control systems, innovative radiation shielding techniques, light weight waste heat radiation systems, thermal management systems, and other major system components.
• Fissile fuels and materials required to enable high efficiency, high specific power in-space propulsion systems. Fissile fuels and materials required to enable high thrust-to-weight nuclear thermal rockets with a mission-averaged specific impulse exceeding 875s.
• Futuristic propulsion systems based on fusion (non-tritium based), antimatter, or other advanced high energy processes. Technologies may include pulsed and steady-state fusion propulsion concepts or components and hybrid systems.
  

A6.02 Propellantless Propulsion
Lead Center: MSFC
Participating Center(s): None

This subtopic will focus on technologies supporting innovative and advanced concepts for propellantless propulsion and other revolutionary transportation technologies. The technologies under Propellantless Propulsion include, but are not limited to: gravity assist and aerogravity assist; solar, laser, and microwave sailing; magnetospheric plasma propulsion; electrodynamic and momentum transfer tether propulsion; and aeroassist/aerocapture. Gravity assist propulsion methods utilize momentum exchange between the payload and a planet's heliocentric angular momentum through gravitational interaction. Solar or laser sailing exchanges momentum with photons through optical reflection. Magnetospheric plasma propulsion involves momentum exchange with solar wind ions through electrodynamic interaction. The electrodynamic tether propulsion method exchanges momentum with a planet's rotational angular momentum through electrodynamic interaction with the planetary magnetic field. The aeroassist/aerocapture propulsion method exchanges momentum with a planet's atmosphere through aerodynamic drag. Proposals should provide development of specific innovative technologies or techniques supporting any of these methods. A plan for demonstrating feasibility, noting any test and experiment requirements, is also recommended.

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