ABSTRACT
This chapter presents in-space electric propulsion for spacecraft for orbit adjustments and/or interplanetary travel. Different types of propulsion systems suitable for medium power for orbit adjustments to MW-scale power for deep space missions and crewed missions to the moon and mars are addressed. Specific impulses are defined and explained. It is an important figure of merit to compare various propulsion systems fuel efficiency (distance traveled per kg of fuel). Various types of thrusters for electric propulsion in use today, such as electrothermal hydrazine, hydrazine arkjet, and a few ion thrusters, are covered, along with NASA’s Solar Technology Application Readiness and the much superior high-power nuclear electric xenon ion thruster (NASA Evolutionary Xenon Thruster [NEXT]). Also presented are the Hall-effect, pulse-plasma, and magneto-hydrodynamic–electro-hydrodynamic thrusters. The specific impulses of all these thrusters are compared. Also included is in-depth coverage of nuclear electric propulsion with reactors and dynamic turbine-electric generators. The chapter ends with sections on microwave beam propulsion, tether power propulsion, and space debris cleanup.
