Ion Propulsion - An Enabling Technology for Interstellar Precursor Missions

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Author - D. G. Fearn

Co-Author(s) -

JBIS Volume # - 59

Page # - 88-93

Year - 2006

Keywords - Ion propulsion, high specific impulse, nuclear power, high velocity increment

JBIS Reference Code # - 2006.59.88

Number of Pages - 6

[edit] Abstract

In this paper it is shown that an advanced form of gridded ion thruster, employing a 4-grid ion extraction and acceleration system, can provide a velocity increment and specific impulse of interest to interstellar precursor missions, extending to a few hundred astronomical units from the sun. In this it is assumed that a nuclear power source is available with a mass-to-power ratio of 15 to 35 kg/kW and an output of several tens of kW. Mission durations are of about 25 years and the velocity increment provided exceeds 37 km/s.


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