Tag: SEP
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Aerojet Rocketdyne tasked with NASA’s Advanced SEP system development
As part of its initiative to advance exploration in the solar system, NASA has awarded Aerojet Rocketdyne a contract for two crucial elements of an Advanced Electric Propulsion System. The new system will meet enhanced propulsion needs of upcoming robotic and human missions in an effort to increase efficiency over traditional, chemical-based propulsion. Aerojet Rocketdyne…
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NASA awards contracts for deep-space advanced propulsion systems
NASA has awarded contracts to three American propulsion companies to aid the U.S. federal space agency with the development of advanced deep-space Electric Propulsion systems – including VASIMR – needed to one day transport astronauts to destinations beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO). New Propulsion elements for deep-space exploration: As part of NASA’s phased approach to…
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Asteroid Redirect Mission to lay the technology foundations for deep space
In the face of political uncertainty and public apathy, NASA is beginning to push the case for the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM). The points of the Agency’s latest overview portray a mission that will foster the development of numerous key technological advances, most of which will be required for human missions to deep space and the…
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Captured Asteroid mission – Redefining EM-2 for the bold challenge
NASA administrator Charlie Bolden has officially announced an ambitious mission to send a crew to a captured asteroid as early as 2021. Mission planning is scheduled to begin in the summer, with the potential to redefine the 2021 Exploration Mission -2 (EM-2) flight, involving the Space Launch System (SLS) and the first crewed Orion spacecraft.…
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Boeing outlines new modules/technologies for Near Earth Asteroid missions
As NASA continues the early development phase of its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, contract companies of the U.S. space agency continue their push for new and innovative technologies – including Radiation Storm Shelters, Deep Space Habitats, and Solar Electric Propulsion – to be used as humankind pushes beyond the confines of planet Earth toward…
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Aerojet cite Solar Electric Propulsion as an enabler for an Exploration Gateway
Aerojet – famous for being a key element of numerous launch vehicle and satellite propulsion systems – believe their Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) technology can be positively applied to an Exploration Gateway Platform – which has been touted as a potential – and often favored – approach in NASA’s ongoing studies into a long-term exploration…
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SLS Exploration Roadmap evaluations provide clues for human Mars missions
As NASA managers continue to work through the evaluations into an exploration roadmap for the agency, the end goal of sending humans to Mars is starting to show a level of consistency. Per documentation, the key Design Reference Mission (DRM) evaluations are pointing to the “Flexible Path” approach of visiting a Martian moon, prior to…