In recent decades, there has been significant growth of interest in space research aimed at studying deep space and near-Earth interplanetary space. As scientific tasks become more complex and numerous, the problem of extending the active life of spacecraft and optimizing its mass becomes particularly urgent. One promising approach to solving this problem is the use of electric propulsion systems. A review of current and future space missions aimed at deep space exploration by spacecraft with electric propulsion systems to forecast future developments. A comprehensive analysis of deep space exploration missions using electric propulsion systems was conducted. Based on the analysis, the current state and trends in the use of electric propulsion systems in deep space exploration missions were determined. The presented analysis of missions and spacecraft performance may be useful for technical specialists in the development and justification of new approaches to the design and use of spacecraft equipped with electric propulsion systems in the tasks of deep space exploration.
Boriskin et al. (Wed,) studied this question.