Introduction
This website is a visual representation of a full report, titled Analysis of Current Propulsion Technologies for Interplanetary Transit with High Mass Payloads. This full report can be read below. The purpose of both the report and this website is to analyze and assess the viability of current propulsion technologies to adequately fulfill the primary constraints of transporting high mass payloads over interplanetary distances within an acceptable interval of time. Within each of the above propulsion categories, a brief analysis summarizes its relative performance and overall viability as a propulsion system. Finally, a single technology is recommended based upon comparative performance, development, and implementation.
Report Conclusion
This report details current and near future propulsion technologies capable of transporting high mass payloads interplanetary distances within reasonable time constraints. Consisting of two primary categories for differing propulsion methods, each current and developing system potentially capable of fulfilling the stated requirements is comparatively analyzed against alternate technologies. Finally, this report assesses the viability of the propulsion system in meeting the mission constraints through the examination of technological development, current implementation, and overall performance. In assessing technologies fulfilling the requirements within the two propulsion categories, two technologies are recommended by this report to best meet the conditions for validity. From the electric propulsion categorical type, the VASIMR electrothermal propulsion system is recommended as the most viable form of electric propulsion. In the nuclear propulsion category, the current MICF-based NPP system is comparatively considered as the most viable nuclear propulsion technology, pending further development and testing. The prevailing purpose for this analysis is for investigatory research and potential viability assessment. Current stages of development for propulsion systems are regarded as inadequate, and the analyses performed by this paper highlight the most potentially viable technologies for the objective of continued research and analysis. In summation, this report recommends concentration on continued research, development, and testing of the VASIMR and NPP systems due to extremely high near future operability potentials within the conditional parameters for viability.