Solar Powered Rocket with Impulsive Thermal Engine (SPRITE)

The Solar Powered Rocket with Impulsive Thermal Engine (SPRITE) combines the high performance of a nuclear thermal rocket with the simplicity of solar thermal propulsion. The system operates by collecting solar power and storing energy in a high temperature phase change material. This allows the SPRITE to minimize solar collector area by gathering energy over a period of time and releasing it quickly for propulsion. The SPRITE uses an upgraded ThermaSat Plus engine design, complete with deployable solar collectors and hydrogen propellant. The SPRITE is able to achieve high thrust propulsion with and Isp of ~830s while maintaining a total spacecraft wet mass below 200kg. It is capable of delivering 50kg of small satellite payload to the Moon from LEO. Once delivered, the spacecraft can be reclaimed or disposed of on the lunar surface. Unlike nuclear thermal systems, there is no hazardous material on board the SPRITE and no long term nuclear drawbacks. Yet it is still able to achieve a comparable Isp and high thrust propulsion. Unlike other solar thermal concepts, the SPRITE has a very high thrust to weight and does not need to have collectors faced towards the Sun when firing. The end result is a versatile, reliable, and effective vehicle for transporting payloads to the Moon.

NASA can use the SPRITE to deliver supplies and equipment to the Lunar Gateway or to astronauts on the lunar surface. It can also be used to build infrastructure, such as lunar GPS systems. High thrust and high Isp propulsion provides many uses for 3rd stage rockets, allowing payloads to be placed in their desired location rapidly. As the SPRITE is capable of recharging itself in the Sun, future designs can be used to explore other planets such as Venus, Mercury, or possibly even Mars.

Private industry will be able to inexpensively place their small satellites in their desired location using the SPRITE, as the low launch mass and high performance propulsion will provide major improvements over current methods. The upcoming space industry will see decreases in costs which will make many opportunities more attractive.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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