What strategic advantage does the high-thrust, high-$I_{sp}$ performance of NTP provide to mission planners concerning spacecraft design?
Answer
It grants mission designers flexibility, allowing mass savings from reduced life support (due to shorter transit) to be redirected to payload or safety margins.
By drastically cutting travel time, NTP reduces the mass required for consumables and life support, freeing up significant mass that can be allocated to scientific instruments, habitat structures, or safety margins.
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