Propulsion system used in Space probes?

[Arul Sivan]

What is the power source for space probes and how it is sustained for long flights in space?
Also how do space probes reach phenomenal speeds (Helios attained 252,792 km/h !)

 

[Fewmet]

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/index.html has pages for current and past missions. My quick survey indicates that fuels are identified on many.

Liquid hydrogen is popular. Hydrazine is listed. Pu-238 has been used on most robotic missions, but I've heard concern that the supply is too small to do all NASA will want in the future.

 

[Arul Sivan]

Thanks for the info, but how is it possible to achieve high speed in space when compared to Earth . In Earth the max speed achieved is around 7 mach

 

[Fewmet]

I am not an expert in this, but I would guess it is simply Newton's second law in action: whenever you apply a net force to a body, the body accelerates.

The Deep Space 1 mission was sent tot look at Comet Borrelly in 2001. It had an ion drive, so by flinging off Xe ions, it experienced a thrust about equal to the weight of a sheet of paper. After about 600 days it was moving 11,000 km/h.

I don't understand your second sentence. Are your saying that is the speed record for something in the Earth's atmosphere?

 

[etudiant]

Orbital velocity is about 17,000 mph.
The highest speeds reached by classical rockets are somewhere in the 30-50,000 mph,
for outer planet probes.
It is common to use orbital slingshot manoeuvers to speed up these probes, which dramatically reduces the fuel required by exploiting the gravity well of the planets.
Falling down the gravity well to the sun is also an excellent way to achieve very high speeds, as comets demonstrate regularly.

 

[Mech_Engineer]

What is the power source for space probes and how it is sustained for long flights in space?

It depends, but most are launched into orbit using chemical rockets. New probes might be using ion drives in the not too distant future, which can sustain low amounts of thrust for a long time (instead of high thrust for a very short time like a chemical rocket).

Also how do space probes reach phenomenal speeds (Helios attained 252,792 km/h !)

Helios' max speed is a close pass of the sun. In an eccentric orbit, the closer something comes to the body it's orbiting the faster it goes.

Thanks for the info, but how is it possible to achieve high speed in space when compared to Earth . In Earth the max speed achieved is around 7 mach

You're talking about max speed in the atmosphere. In space, the maximum speed is limited by the amount of fuel you're carrying and the rocket equation. Since there's no air in space there's no drag, so you can sustain very high speeds (the space shuttle orbited Earth at about 30,000 kph, Mach 25).

 

[Arul Sivan]

Nope, was just trying to give a comparison. But you have answered my question

 

[Astronuc]

Here are some propulsion options: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacecraft_propulsion

The high velocity comes from long term acceleration/propulsion.

http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/ion_prop.asp

http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/ion_engine_interactive/index.asp

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/1999/prop06apr99_2/