The solar electric propulsion project has developed solar arrays that are lighter stronger more compact and less expensive than those currently available.
Solar electric propulsion spacecraft.
Nasa s solar electric propulsion sep project is developing critical technologies to enable cost effective new trips to mars and to asteroids across the inner solar system and also to support a variety of commercial spaceflight activities.
Solar electric propulsion systems sustainable and reliable propulsion for in space operations aerojet rocketdyne is developing a full range of solar electric propulsion sep products and capabilities to enable and support nasa dod and commercial spaceflight activities.
As of 2019 over 500 spacecraft operated throughout the solar system use electric propulsion for station keeping orbit raising or primary propulsion.
Solar electric propulsion provides such high fuel economy that it reduces the amount of propellant required onboard vehicles for deep space missions by as much as 90 percent.
This technology has been exploited in a variety of spacecraft by the european space agency the japanese space agency indian space research organisation and nasa.
Solar electric propulsion refers to the combination of solar cells and electric thrusters to propel a spacecraft through outer space.