Electric Propulsion for Small Body Missions

Abstract

The planetary science of small bodies includes missions for fly-by, rendezvous, and return samples from a diverse set of targets. Asteroids, comets, and deep space objects are found throughout the solar system over a wide range of heliocentric distances, inclinations, and eccentricities. The great diversity of targets and negligible gravity wells limits the use of chemical propulsion to the vast majority of targets. Electric propulsion enables the scientific exploration of several small body targets. The results of studies of small body missions enabled by electric propulsion are presented. Missions are evaluated for feasibility, performance, and propulsion and power system requirements.