All about spacecraft propulsion

[Janu]

THE FUTURE OF SPACE PROPULSION

As man's wish of exploring deep space becomes stronger, new technologies
have to be developed. In oder to travel long distances, spacecrafts need
advanced power systems which should be reliable, safe, light weight and
efficient. Today's conventional chemical propulsion systems are near
their performance limit and solar cell performance degrades rapidly as
distance from the sun increases. The common solution would be to opt to
very light weight, high risk / low margin planetary spacecraft designs
which, however, are not appropriate for deep space exploration (e. g.
Mars Climate Orbiter, Mars Polar Lander).

What comes next?

From 31st May to 2nd June 2000 the 11th annual Advanced Space
Propulsion Research Workshop, which was sponsored by Jet Propulsion
Laboratory (JPL) and the Marshall Space Flight Center, presented the
newest development in spacecraft propulsion. It brought together various
scientists who shared their newest ideas and research about how future
spacecrafts will travel in space. From antimatter engines until
propellantless propulsion...

More at: http://welcome.to/scientific_cage