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.
Sep has a significantly higher specific impulse than normal chemical rockets thus requiring less propellant mass to be launched with a spacecraft and it has been evaluated for missions to mars.
Solar electric propulsion refers to the combination of solar cells and electric thrusters to propel a spacecraft through outer space.
In the future the most advanced electric thrusters may be able to impart a delta v of 100 km s which is enough to take a spacecraft to the outer planets of the solar system with nuclear power but is insufficient for interstellar travel.
Solar electric propulsion as nasa plans to extend human presence across the solar system including the moon and mars it also seeks to shorten the time required to develop and apply transformative technologies that increase the nation s capabilities in space enable future missions and support a variety of commercial spaceflight activities.
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.
As of 2019 over 500 spacecraft operated throughout the solar system use electric propulsion for station keeping orbit raising or primary propulsion.