NASA Exploring Solar Electric Propulsion For Spacecraft

NASA has announced the names of five companies selected to develop systems for demonstrating solar electric propelled space flight.
  
While solar powered satellites and exploration vehicles such as the much celebrated Mars rovers are nothing new, these systems have been for powering instruments and surface travel. 
 
NASA has already tested another form of solar powered propulsion system – a solar sail; as has the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) with its solar sail craft, IKAROS. What NASA is investigating now are mission concept studies to identify technology gaps and examine technological innovation for transportation using solar electric propulsion systems.
  
NASA says solar powered space flight capabilities are important for the agency’s future human exploration missions to deep space.
  
The five companies selected for the project are:
  
— Analytical Mechanics Associates Inc. (AMA) – AMA has worked with government and commercial organizations solving  engineering, math, and business problems since 1962
  
— Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. – Colorado based company providing imaging, communications, and information systems, products, software, and services to government and commercial aerospace customers.
  
— The Boeing Company – the world’s largest aerospace company and manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems
  
— Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company – a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide. Principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
  
— Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. –  another security company providing systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers globally.
  
NASA has awarded approximately $3 million in total to the companies; each of which will submit a final report to assist in defining a mission concept to demonstrate the solar electric propulsion technologies, capabilities, and infrastructure needed for sustainable and economical human presence in space.