Inner solar system sample return missions using solar electric propulsion

This study evaluated the effects of solar electric propulsion (SEP) and PowerSail solar array technology on four sample return missions. These missions, to the Moon, Mars, Mercury, and Venus, were compared against previous Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) studies. Compared to these baselines, PowerSail/SEP missions in general had longer trip times, though the Venus mission was of similar duration. Costs for three missions were comparable to JPL´s estimates, but in the case of Mars, the PowerSail/SEP design was significantly cheaper. Moreover, for all missions, SEP allows a negative C3 launch, dramatically improving launch vehicle performance and enabling cheaper, lower risk designs. Overall, results indicate that the PowerSail/SEP combination outperforms conventional technology on large-scale missions. As a result of this study, a cohesive four-mission inner solar system sample return program is proposed.