All articles tagged with #aeps
NASA has installed advanced electric thrusters as part of the AEPS system on the Gateway station, enhancing propulsion efficiency for lunar and deep space missions, supporting NASA's Artemis program and future exploration endeavors.
NASA and Aerojet Rocketdyne are testing a new ion propulsion engine called the Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) at NASA's Glenn Research Center. The AEPS, a powerful Hall effect thruster, uses solar-generated electricity to create a stream of ionized xenon gas, producing efficient thrust. It is over two times more powerful than current electric propulsion thrusters and will be crucial for future lunar exploration missions. The thrusters will be used on NASA's Gateway space station, and a dedicated Xenon Transfer System is being developed to replenish the xenon gas. NASA plans to test a second thruster in 2024 and launch the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) of Gateway in November 2025.
NASA is developing an Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) for the 2025 Gateway mission, which is expected to be three times more powerful than current Hall thrusters. The AEPS uses solar power and chemical propellants to reduce the amount of fuel needed for space missions, enabling longer and deeper space exploration. NASA has released a virtual tour of the Electric Propulsion and Power Laboratory (EPPL), where the AEPS was created, showcasing the testing chambers and interviews with scientists and engineers. The AEPS is currently undergoing qualification testing at the Glenn Research Facility in preparation for its 2025 launch.
NASA and Aerojet Rocketdyne have successfully completed qualification testing of the Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS), the most powerful electric propulsion thruster currently being manufactured. AEPS, a 12-kilowatt solar electric propulsion engine, uses ionized xenon gas to produce a longer duration and more efficient thrust compared to traditional chemical propulsion. The goal is to use AEPS on NASA's Gateway space station, providing power, propulsion, and communication capabilities. AEPS could also be used for deep space missions in the future.