Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has submitted a mission concept study to NASA for demonstrating solar electric propulsion technologies in space, the Boulder, Colo.-based company said in a May 16 press release.
Ball was one of five companies awarded up to $600,000 by NASA in September to come up with mission concepts to demonstrate solar electric propulsion technologies, capabilities and infrastructure required for future human spaceflight missions. NASA will use the studies to plan and implement a future flight demonstration mission.
Ball said it worked with several companies, including ATK Space Systems and the Southwest Research Institute, to develop a mission concept built around technology at a NASA Technology Readiness Level 5 or greater.
