2 to 10 kilowatt solar or radioisotope Brayton power system.
Solar or radioisotope Brayton power system efficiencies estimated for ground test configurations
Klann, J. L.↗
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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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Computer analysis of space power systems for mission analysis.
Space power systems analysis, using computer program to correlate systems characteristics with mission parameters for automated satellite repair vehicle and space stations
Arno, R. D.↗
Integration of an isotope Brayton power system with a life support system
Integration of isotope Brayton power system with life support system
Bilski, R. S.↗
A hybrid electrical power system for aircraft application.
Possible improvements to present aircraft electrical power systems for use in future advanced types of aircraft have been investigated. The conventional power system is examined, the characteristics of electric loads are reviewed, and various methods of power generation and distribution are appraised. It is shown that a hybrid system, with variable-frequency generation and high-voltage dc distribution, could overcome some of the limitations of the conventional system.
Lee, C. H.↗
Power Quality Analysis for a High Voltage Power System for Urban Air Mobility Application
Maturation of electric power technologies has opened the door for deployment of new types of aircraft within urban air mobility (UAM) markets. These new types of aircraft use non-conventional designs, which do not fall within existing regulatory requirements; this is especially true for the design and verification of the high voltage primary power systems which are being proposed for many of these aircraft. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and inform integration requirements, mainly related to power quality, based on a point design of a NASA Lift-plus-Cruise Vehicle Electrical Power System (EPS) and Utilization Equipment (UE). The results will be used to inform normal and abnormal operating performance of the EPS and UE for future standards in regards to Power Quality.
Nuha S Nawash↗
Demonstrating the Viability and Affordability of Nuclear Surface Power Systems
A set of tasks have been identified to help demonstrate the viability, performance, and affordability of surface fission systems. Completion of these tasks will move surface fission systems closer to reality by demonstrating affordability and performance potential. Tasks include fabrication and test of a 19-pin section of a Surface Power Unit Demonstrator (SPUD); design, fabrication, and utilization of thermal simulators optimized for surface fission' applications; design, fabrication, and utilization of GPHS module thermal simulators; design, fabrication, and test of a fission surface power system shield; and work related to potential fission surface power fuel/clad systems. Work on the SPUD will feed directly into joint NASA MSFC/NASA GRC fabrication and test of a surface power plant Engineering Development Unit (EDU). The goal of the EDU will be to perform highly realistic thermal, structural, and electrical testing on an integrated fission surface power system. Fission thermal simulator work will help enable high fidelity non-nuclear testing of pumped NaK surface fission power systems. Radioisotope thermal simulator work will help enable design and development of higher power radioisotope systems (power ultimately limited by Pu-238 availability). Shield work is designed to assess the potential of using a water neutron shield on the surface of the moon. Fuels work is geared toward assessing the current potential of using fuels that have already flown in space.
Vandyke, Melissa K.↗
Isotope Brayton space power systems and their technology
The objectives of the NASA Brayton Space Power Program and the advantages of achieving an isotope Brayton space power system are enumerated. The paper describes the 2-15 kWe Brayton engine, its subsystems, and major components and summarizes the status of the test program. Two areas of Brayton constituent technology are discussed-gas bearings and heat exchangers. A summary is given of a 500-2500 W isotope Brayton space power system study that showed very attractive performance, simplicity, and low cost for a system in this power range.
Schwartz, H.↗
Development of an analytical tool to study power quality of ac power systems for large spacecraft
A harmonic power flow program applicable to space power systems with sources of harmonic distortion is described. The algorithm is a modification of Electric Power Research Institute's HARMFLO program which assumes a three-phase, balanced, ac system with loads of harmonic distortion. The modified power flow program can be used with single phase, ac systems. Early results indicate that the required modifications and the models developed are quite adequate for the analysis of a 20-kHz testbed built by General Dynamics Corporation. This is demonstrated by the acceptable correlation of the present results with published data. Although the results are not exact, the discrepancies are relatively small.
Kraft, L. A.↗
Development of an analytical tool to study power quality of AC power systems for large spacecraft
A harmonic power flow program applicable to space power systems with sources of harmonic distortion is described. The algorithm is a modification of the Electric Power Research Institute's HARMFLO program which assumes a three phase, balanced, AC system with loads of harmonic distortion. The modified power flow program can be used with single phase, AC systems. Early results indicate that the required modifications and the models developed are quite adequate for the analysis of a 20 kHz testbed built by General Dynamics Corporation. This is demonstrated by the acceptable correlation of present results with published data. Although the results are not exact, the discrepancies are relatively small.
Kraft, L. Alan↗
EMTP based stability analysis of space station electric power system in a test bed environment
The Space Station Freedom Electric Power System (EPS) will convert solar energy into electric energy and distribute the same using an 'all dc', Power Management and Distribution (PMAD) System. Power conditioning devices (dc to dc converters) are needed to interconnect parts of this system operating at different nominal voltage levels. Operation of such devices could generate under damped oscillations (instability) under certain conditions. Criteria for instability are examined and verified for a single device. Suggested extension of the criteria to a system operation is examined by using the EMTP model of the PMAD DC test bed. Wherever possible, data from the test bed is compared with the modeling results.
Dravid, Narayan V.↗
EMTP based stability analysis of Space Station Electric Power System in a test bed environment
The Space Station Freedom Electric Power System (EPS) will convert solar energy into electric energy and distribute the same using an 'all dc', Power Management and Distribution (PMAD) System. Power conditioning devices (dc to dc converters) are needed to interconnect parts of this system operating at different nominal voltage levels. Operation of such devices could generate under damped oscillations (instability) under certain conditions. Criteria for instability are examined and verified for a single device. Suggested extension of the criteria to a system operation is examined by using the EMTP model of the PMAD dc test bed. Wherever possible, data from the test bed is compared with the modeling results.
Dravid, Narayan V.↗
Spacecraft Electrical Power System (EPS) generic analysis tools and techniques
An overview is provided of the analysis tools and techiques used in modeling the Space Station Freedom electrical power system, as well as future space vehicle power systems. The analysis capabilities of the Electrical Power System (EPS) are described and the EPS analysis tools are surveyed.
Morris, Gladys M.↗
Electrical Power System Architectures for In-House NASA/GSFC Missions
This power point presentation reviews the electrical power system (EPS) architecture used for a few NASA GSFC's missions both current and planned. Included in the presentation are reviews of electric power systems for the Space Technology 5 (ST5) mission, the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Mission, and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). There is a slide that compares the three missions' electrical supply systems.
Yun, Diane D.↗
Nuclear power systems for lunar and Mars exploration
Initial studies of a variety of mission scenarios for the new Space Exploration Initiative, and the technologies necessary to enable or significantly enhance them, have identified the development of advanced space power systems whether solar, chemical or nuclear to be of prime importance. Lightweight, compact, reliable power systems for planetary rovers and a variety of surface vehicles, utility surface power, and power for advanced propulsion systems have been identified as critical needs for these missions. These mission scenarios, the concomitant power system requirements, and power system options considered are discussed. The significant potential benefits of nuclear power are identified for meeting the power needs of the above applications.
Sovie, R. J.↗
Study of aircraft electrical power systems
The formulation of a philosophy for devising a reliable, efficient, lightweight, and cost effective electrical power system for advanced, large transport aircraft in the 1980 to 1985 time period is discussed. The determination and recommendation for improvements in subsystems and components are also considered. All aspects of the aircraft electrical power system including generation, conversion, distribution, and utilization equipment were considered. Significant research and technology problem areas associated with the development of future power systems are identified. The design categories involved are: (1) safety-reliability, (2) power type, voltage, frequency, quality, and efficiency, (3) power control, and (4) selection of utilization equipment.
Source record↗
Enabling Future Low-Cost Small Spacecraft Mission Concepts Using Small Radioisotope Power Systems
For more than five decades, Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) have played a critical role in the exploration of space, enabling missions of scientific discovery to destinations across the solar system by providing electrical power to explore remote and challenging environments - some of the hardest to reach, darkest, and coldest locations in the solar system. In particular, RPS has met the demand of many long-duration mission concepts for continuous power to conduct science investigations independent of change in sunlight or variations in surface conditions like shadows, thick clouds, or dust.
Lee, Young H.↗
Electric propulsion produced environments and possible interactions with the SP-100 power system
An examination of a conceptual SP-100 type power system has been conducted to assess the effect of possible electric thruster induced contamination. The operating characteristics and known exhaust plume properties of various electric thrusters are summarized along with the natural environment and its effects to provide background for the contamination discussion. Charge buildup on nonconducting surfaces, differential charging of surfaces and arcing should be moderated by the operation of an electric thruster system. Thin film deposition of eroded thruster materials is a possible contamination mechanism. Electric thruster field efflux and propellant condensation should have only a minor contaminating effect upon a nuclear power system.
Deininger, W. D.↗
NASA's Radioisotope Power Systems Program Status
NASA's Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) Program began formal implementation in December 2010. The RPS Program's goal is to make available RPS for the exploration of the solar system in environments where conventional solar or chemical power generation is impractical or impossible to meet mission needs. To meet this goal, the RPS Program manages investments in RPS system development and RPS technologies. The current keystone of the RPS Program is the development of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG). This generator will be about four times more efficient than the more traditional thermoelectric generators, while providing a similar amount of power. This paper provides the status of the RPS Program and its related projects. Opportunities for RPS generator development and targeted research into RPS component performance enhancements, as well as constraints dealing with the supply of radioisotope fuel, are also discussed in the context of the next ten years of planetary science mission plans.
Stirling engines↗