The ESA SMART-1 Mission to the Moon with Solar Electric Propulsion
Abstract
SMART-1 is planned to be the first Small Mission for Advanced Research in Technology of the ESA Scientific Programme Horizons 2000 for a launch at the end of 2001. The mission is dedicated to the testing of new technologies for preparing future cornerstone missions, using Solar Electrical Propulsion in Deep Space. The mission operational lifetime includes a 6-17 months cruise until a lunar orbit (300-10000 km) with 6 month operations. The SMART-1 spacecraft will be launched either on Ariane 5 as auxiliary passenger or on Eurockot. The expected launch mass is 350 kg. This allows to bring a dedicated payload with spacecraft, instrument and electric propulsion diagnostics technologies, as well as giving an opportunity for new lunar geophysical and geochemical studies, and for cruise science on the way to the Moon.
- Publication:
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Advances in Space Research
- Pub Date:
- January 1999
- DOI:
- 10.1016/S0273-1177(99)00544-X
- Bibcode:
- 1999AdSpR..23.1865F