NASA's electric propulsion program

This paper provides an overview of NASA's activities in the area of electric propulsion with an emphasis on program directions, recent progress, and a view of future program directions. The benefits of high performance electric propulsion systems are recognized, and new technologies have been accepted. Electric propulsion enables aggressive science missions and provides an economic advantage for commercial ventures. NASA recognizes the need for new, high performance, electric propulsion technologies for future solar system missions and is sponsoring aggressive efforts in this area. These efforts are conducted under the Office of Aerospace Technology and the Office of Space Science. Technology activities are broadly based to support all of NASA. The majority of the work is focused on technology for planetary science missions. The Glenn Research Center leads the Electric Propulsion activities for the agency and is supported by JPL, JSC, and MSFC. Plans include the development of next generation ion thrusters for end of decade missions. Additional efforts are planned for the development of very high power thrusters. Clusters of ion and high power Hall thrusters are being studied. NASA continues to work closely with both supplier and user communities to maximize the acceptance of new technology in a timely and cost-effective manner. NASA’s electric propulsion efforts are closely coordinated with Department of Defense and other national programs to assure the most effective use of available resources.