article_snippet: solar electric propulsion, to an asteroid for an extensive . survey.
article_snippet: This includes advanced Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) - one of the critical technologies needed to send larger payloads into deep space and to the upcoming Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
article_snippet: SEP - or ion propulsion - creates thrust powered by solar arrays, which transforms sunlight into electromagnetic fields that accelerate and expel charged atoms (ions).
article_snippet: This is a very efficient way to power a spacecraft and significantly cuts down on the amount of fuel a spacecraft needs to carry, which can be heavy and expensive to launch from Earth.
article_snippet: Current studies at An asteroid named Itokawa photographed by the Hayabusa probe detailed in the papers are examining ways SEP will be used to power the mission.