NASA Unveils Groundbreaking Electric Propulsion System
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.