Electric vs Chemical Propulsion for a Large-Cargo Orbit Transfer Vehicle

Techniques for sizing electrically or chemically propelled orbit transfer vehicles and analyzing fleet requirements are used in a comparative analysis of the two concepts for various levels of traffic to geosynchronous orbit. The vehicle masses, fuel requirements, and fleet sizes are determined and translated into launch vehicle payload requirements. Technology projections beyond normal growth are made and their effect on the comparative advantages of the concepts is determined. A preliminary cost analysis indicates that electric propulsion greatly reduces launch vehicle requirements and would be competitive with chemical propulsion if the technology of power generation systems advances to where reusability can be achieved at low cost.