
1695.3 Conclusion
sensors could be deployed for a variety of applications, such as environmental moni-
toring, sensing in chemical processing plants, and gas detection for counterterrorism.
5.2.7 INTERSTELLAR PROPULSION
There is considerable interest in microspacecraft to support interstellar robotic explo-
ration and near-Earth environment characterization. The principle challenge here
is to develop miniature electric propulsion systems capable of operating at much
lower power levels than conventional momentum exchange electric propulsion hard-
ware, and which meet the unique mass, power, and size requirements. The Busek
Company, Inc. (Natick, ...