Combined Heat Shield and Solar Thermal Propulsion System for an Oberth Maneuver

A powered gravity assist around the sun, also known as an Oberth maneuver, has potential to achieve a solar system escape velocity of 20 astronomical units (AUs) per year, which is desirable for interstellar mission. Unfortunately, current heat shields and propulsion technology struggle outperform unpowered Jupiter assist, let alone AUs/year, due unfavorable mass tradeoffs. We are therefore developing unconventional approach that simultaneously addresses need high specific impulse close proximity sun: convert sun into usable thrust by passing propellant through shield. To demonstrate concept combined shield thermal system, we designed fabricated [Formula: see text] prototype exposed it 20-sun simulator. The reflective yttria-stabilized zirconia coating helium gas flow maintained temperature 339 K. With dark chrome oxide facing simulator, generated 1.3 N at rate 516 agreement between theory experiment suggests 15 AUs/year attainable ratio two perihelion 2.5 radii.