Modular Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) tug concept

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. (Ball) has conceptually developed a modular, reusable Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) Tug that leverages heritage, commercial capabilities in spacecraft buses and electric propulsion (EP) to minimize the time and cost to market. The SEP Tug is a stand-alone, scalable, modular vehicle which combines a Mission Module based on commercially available spacecraft bus element from Ball, a SEP Module using high power electric propulsion, an Reaction Control System (RCS) Module based on monopropellant hydrazine (a green monopropellant option is under consideration) and a Payload Module/payload accommodation platform. SEP Module designs have examined implementation of both ion engine and Hall thruster systems and utilizes flexible blanket arrays. An optional Xenon Tank Module is available to accommodate larger propellant requirements. This modular architecture can satisfy the needs of the Asteroid Redirect Vehicle (ARV) and a broad array of customers and markets including: servicing, resupply, replenishment, payload delivery, operational orbit change and debris removal operations. The SEP Tug provides a reusable platform for industry to leverage for multiple mission needs while DOD benefits can include constellation resiliency.