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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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At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1988

Comparison of electrically driven lasers for space power transmission

High-power lasers in space could provide power for a variety of future missions such as spacecraft electric power requirements and laser propulsion. This study investigates four electrically pumped laser systems, all scaled to 1-MW laser output, that could provide power to spacecraft. The four laser systems are krypton fluoride, copper vapor, laser diode array, and carbon dioxide. Each system was powered by a large solar photovoltaic array which, in turn, provided power for the appropriate laser power conditioning subsystem. Each system was block-diagrammed, and the power and efficiency were found for each subsystem block component. The copper vapor system had the lowest system efficiency (6 percent). The CO2 laser was found to be the most readily scalable but has the disadvantage of long laser wavelength.

Deyoung, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Second Beamed Space-Power Workshop

Potential missions for microwave and laser power beaming in space are discussed. Power beaming options, millimeter wave technology, laser technology, lunar bases, spacecraft propulsion, and near-Earth applications are covered.

Deyoung, Russell J.↗
NASA NTRS2004

The Challenges Facing Future Conversion Systems for Space Power Applications

High-efficiency, Stirling power convertors have been proposed for space power applications, ranging from relatively low-power radioisotope generators such as the 110 watt SRG110 to the higher-power 100 kWe SP-100. The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been involved in the supporting technology and development for both of these systems. Although the power levels are quite different, many of the challenges faced by both of these dynamic power conversion systems similar. A major challenge is fund in demonstration of the capability for high reliability and long-life of the power system when the wear mechanisms have been eliminated. A review is presented of the past efforts, including the status of current flight development efforts, and a projection of what the future might bring.

Schreiber, Jeffrey↗
NASA NTRS1997

Space Environment Stability and Physical Properties of New Materials for Space Power and Commercial Applications

To test and evaluate suitability of materials for use in space power systems and related space and commercial applications, and to achieve sufficient understanding of the mechanisms by which, the materials perform in their intended applications. Materials and proposed applications included but were not limited to: Improved anodes for lithium ion batteries, highly-transparent arc-proof solar array coatings, and improved surface materials for solar dynamic concentrators and receivers. Cooperation and interchange of data with industrial companies as appropriate.

Hambourger, Paul D.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Compatibility tests of materials for a lithium-cooled space power reactor concept

Materials for a lithium-cooled space power reactor concept must be chemically compatible for up to 50,000 hr at high temperature. Capsule tests at 1040 C (1900 F) were made of material combinations of prime interest: T-111 in direct contact with uranium mononitride (UN), Un in vacuum separated from T-111 by tungsten wire, UN with various oxygen impurity levels enclosed in tungsten wire lithium-filled T-111 capsules, and TZM and lithium together in T-111 capsules. All combinations were compatible for over 2800 hr except for T-111 in direct contact with UN.

Sinclair, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Study of multi-megawatt technology needs for photovoltaic space power systems, volume 2

Possible missions requiring multimegawatt photovoltaic space power systems in the 1990's time frame and power system technology needs associated with these missions are examined. Four specific task areas were considered: (1) missions requiring power in the 1-10 megawatt average power region; (2) alternative power systems and component technologies; (3) technology goals and sensitivity trades and analyses; and (4) technology recommendations. Specific concepts for photovoltaic power approaches considered were: planar arrays, concentrating arrays, hybrid systems using Rankine engines, thermophotovoltaic approaches; all with various photovoltaic cell component technologies. Various AC/DC power management approaches, and battery, fuel cell, and flywheel energy storage concepts are evaluated. Interactions with the electrical ion engine injection and stationkeeping system are also considered.

Peterson, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Optimizing the antenna system of a microwave space power station: Implications for the selection of operating power, frequency and antenna size

A design for a space power station that is to transmit power to the surface of a planet via high powered microwaves should commence with the optimum design of the transmitting and receiving antenna combination to be employed. Once one has assured that the desired amount of power has been transferred (which, after all, is the prupose of any power transmission system), one can, from the constraints imposed by such a design, taylor other parameters of the system such as antenna sizes and weights, power density in the planet's atmosphere (e.g., to avoid electrical breakdown), and frequency of operation. It is the purpose of this brief analysis to provide the working equations of such an optimized antenna system, and to give examples of their use. Related problems that should be analyzed in the future will then be discussed and a flow chart of the indicated order of priority presented. The analysis given here differs from previous work on this subject in that the development given will allow analytical expressions to be obtained for the relevant parameters. This is made possible by employing an approximation procedure to be given during the exposition.

Manning, Robert M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A systems engineering approach to automated failure cause diagnosis in space power systems

Automatic failure-cause diagnosis is a key element in autonomous operation of space power systems such as Space Station's. A rule-based diagnostic system has been developed for determining the cause of degraded performance. The knowledge required for such diagnosis is elicited from the system engineering process by using traditional failure analysis techniques. Symptoms, failures, causes, and detector information are represented with structured data; and diagnostic procedural knowledge is represented with rules. Detected symptoms instantiate failure modes and possible causes consistent with currently held beliefs about the likelihood of the cause. A diagnosis concludes with an explanation of the observed symptoms in terms of a chain of possible causes and subcauses.

Dolce, James L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Utility aspects of space power: Load management versus source management

Electrical power, as an area of study, is relatively young as compared to language, chemistry, physics, mathematics, philosophy, metallurgy, textiles, transportation, or farming. Practically all of the technology that has enabled the huge, continent-spanning power grids that have become ubiquitous in developed countries was developed in the last 150 years. In fact, Tesla's advocacy of alternating current for transmission just won out in the beginning of this century. Despite the novelty of the field as a whole, space power applications are, of course, much newer. This paper looks at the history of space power, and compares it to its older sibling on earth, forming a basis for determining appropriate transitions of technology from the terrestrial realm to space applications.

Walls, B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Photovoltaic Array Space Power flight experiment plus diagnostics (PASP+) modules

The Photovoltaic Array Space Power Plus Diagnostics flight experiment (PASP+) subsumes twelve solar array modules which represent the state of the art in the space photovoltaic array industry. Each of the twelve modules individually feature specific photovoltaic technologies such as advanced semiconductor materials, multi-bandgap structures, lightweight array designs, advanced interconnect technologies, or concentrator array designs. This paper will describe each module in detail including the configuration, components, materials, anticipated on orbit performance, and some of the aspects of each array technology. The layout of each module and the photovoltaic cells or array cross section will be presented graphically. A discussion on the environmental constraints and materials selection will be included as well as a delineation of the differences between the modules and the baseline array configuration in its intended application.

Cooley, William T.↗