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

CHAPTER 9.2

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Topic 5: Space Propulsion
NASA Installation: Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

This Center of Excellence seeks development of propulsion technologies that will enable dramatic improvements in space transportation safety, reliability and cost. Key to this goal is the application of innovative, non-traditional propulsion technologies, devices and systems that could significantly increase the structural margins of future launch systems and substantially reduce the mission times for interplanetary and deep space spacecraft. Development of such technologies is sought to enable ambitious commercial, robotic and human exploration missions in the future.

The following are some specific technology innovation areas that would provide significant advancements in space transportation capability and lead to development of safe, affordable, high-performance propulsion technologies:

• Propulsion applications of technology innovations in fission, fusion and other advanced energy production methods. Of special interest is research leading to application in commercial transportation and energy markets, and techniques for economical and environmentally acceptable testing.
• Research and technology advancement in high efficiency fission electric propulsion systems. Mid-term research and technology should enable system specific masses below 20 kg/kWe at specific impulses greater than 5000 s. Far-term research and technology should enable system specific masses below 1 kg/kWe at specific impulses greater than 5000 s.
• Research and technology advancement in antimatter production, storage, transportation, and utilization for application as a propulsion energy source. Of special interest is research leading to methods for convenient, low-cost antiproton production and robust, high-containment density storage devices.
• Enhancements to or development of new propulsion systems utilizing electromagnetic fields or solar interactions, such as solar/magnetic sails, solar thermal propulsion and electrodynamic tethers.

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