Pellet-Beam Propulsion
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 10:40 pm
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/space ... ropulsion/
Space exploration is hindered by the limitations of rocket equation. Indeed, only two space probes have left the heliosphere and entered the interstellar medium. It took Voyager 1 cruising at a record breaking velocity of 3.6 AU/year 35 years to reach the heliopause. Pellet-beam aims to transform the way deep space is explored by enabling fast transit missions to far away destinations. With the pellet-beam outer planets can be reached in less than a year, 100 AU in about 3 year and solar gravity lens at 500 AU in about 15 years. Importantly, unlike other concepts pellet beam allows propelling heavy spacecraft (~1 ton) which substantially increases the scope of possible missions.
Space exploration is hindered by the limitations of rocket equation. Indeed, only two space probes have left the heliosphere and entered the interstellar medium. It took Voyager 1 cruising at a record breaking velocity of 3.6 AU/year 35 years to reach the heliopause. Pellet-beam aims to transform the way deep space is explored by enabling fast transit missions to far away destinations. With the pellet-beam outer planets can be reached in less than a year, 100 AU in about 3 year and solar gravity lens at 500 AU in about 15 years. Importantly, unlike other concepts pellet beam allows propelling heavy spacecraft (~1 ton) which substantially increases the scope of possible missions.