Advanced technology developed for planetary exploration

The new electric propulsion system will allow complex orbital maneuvers with a high characteristic velocity (delta-v). It operates using low power and has a high fuel throughput, meaning it uses a large total mass of fuel over its lifetime to provide the momentum needed to complete the maneuver.

The NASA-H71M sub-kilowatt Hall effect engine delivers delta-v up to eight kilometers per second, enabling the development of the next generation of small spacecraft for scientific missions. Such a vehicle might independently maneuver from low-Earth orbit (LEO) to the Moon or even from geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) to Mars.

It will also increase the range of secondary spacecraft, which until now have been limited to science targets coinciding with the primary mission’s launch trajectory. The new technology will allow secondary missions to deviate significantly from the primary mission’s trajectory, making it easier to explore a wider range of scientific targets.