Trajectories for High Specific Impulse High Specific Power Deep Space Exploration

TRAJECTORIES FOR HIGH SPECIFIC IMPULSE HIGH SPECIFIC POWER DEEP SPACEEXPLORATIONTara Polsgrove" and Robert B. Adams"National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationMarshall Space Flight CenterMSFC, AL 35812Preliminary results are presented for two methods to approximate the missionperformance of high specific impulse high specific power vehicles. The first method isbased on an analytical approximation derived by Williams 1 and Shepherd 2 and can beused to approximate mission performance to outer planets and interstellar space. Thesecond method is based on a parametric analysis of trajectories created using the well-known trajectory optimization code, VARITOP 3. This parametric analysis allows thereader to approximate payload ratios and optimal power requirements for both one-wayand round-trip missions. While this second method only addresses missions to and fromJupiter, future work will encompass all of the outer planet destinations and someinterstellar precursor missions.