@inproceedings{DachwaldSeboldtLoebetal.2007,
  author    = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Loeb, Horst W. and Schartner, Karl-Heinz},
  title     = {A comparison of SEP and NEP for a main belt asteroid sample return mission},
  series = {7th International Symposium on Launcher Technologies, Barcelona, Spain, 02-05 April 2007},
  booktitle = {7th International Symposium on Launcher Technologies, Barcelona, Spain, 02-05 April 2007},
  pages     = {1 -- 10},
  year      = {2007},
  abstract  = {Innovative interplanetary deep space missions, like a main belt asteroid sample return mission, require ever larger velocity increments (∆V s) and thus ever more demanding propulsion capabilities. Providing much larger exhaust velocities than chemical high-thrust systems, electric low-thrust space-propulsion systems can significantly enhance or even enable such high-energy missions. In 1995, a European-Russian Joint Study Group (JSG) presented a study report on "Advanced Interplanetary Missions Using Nuclear-Electric Propulsion" (NEP). One of the investigated reference missions was a sample return (SR) from the main belt asteroid (19) Fortuna. The envisaged nuclear power plant, Topaz-25, however, could not be realized and also the worldwide developments in space reactor hardware stalled. In this paper, we investigate, whether such a mission is also feasible using a solar electric propulsion (SEP) system and compare our SEP results to corresponding NEP results.},
  language  = {en}
}