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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

Application of beam power technology to a space station

The feasibility and performance parameters for beam microwave power supplies from a space station to nearby orbiting satellites are examined. A 5.8 GHz transmission frequency is found suitable for beaming 1-10 kW over a distance of 1-10 km. The antenna could have a 15 m diameter, a 64 kW output, provide uniform illumination, and have a retrodirective phase control system. A LEO to ground demonstration project is described, involving power levels of 0.0025 mW/sq cm and yielding 202 W at a 100 x 100 m rectenna.

Arndt, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Synchronous orbit power technology needs

An attempt is made to define the needs for future geosynchronous spacecraft power subsystem components, including power generation, energy storage, and power processing. Three projected models (a mission model, an orbit transfer vehicle model, and a mass model) for power subsystem components are used to define power requirements and mass limitations for future spacecraft. Based upon these models, the power subsystems for a 10-kW, 10-year-life, dedicated spacecraft and for a 20-kW, 20-year-life multimission platform are analyzed to establish power density requirements for orbit transfer vehicles. Comparison of these requirements to state-of-the-art (Intelsat 5) design values shows that major improvements, by a factor of 2 or more, are needed to accomplish the near term missions.

Slifer, L. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Design and Build of Reactor Simulator for Fission Surface Power Technology Demonstrator Unit

The Nuclear Systems Team at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) focuses on technology development for state of the art capability in non-nuclear testing of nuclear system and Space Nuclear Power for fission reactor systems for lunar and Mars surface power generation as well as radioisotope power systems for both spacecraft and surface applications. Currently being designed and developed is a reactor simulator (RxSim) for incorporation into the Technology Demonstrator Unit (TDU) for the Fission Surface Power System (FSPS) Program, which is supported by multiple national laboratories and NASA centers. The ultimate purpose of the RxSim is to provide heated NaK to a pair of Stirling engines in the TDU. The RxSim includes many different systems, components, and instrumentation that have been developed at MSFC while working with pumped NaK systems and in partnership with the national laboratories and NASA centers. The main components of the RxSim are a core, a pump, a heat exchanger (to mimic the thermal load of the Stirling engines), and a flow meter for tests at MSFC. When tested at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) the heat exchanger will be replaced with a Stirling power conversion engine. Additional components include storage reservoirs, expansion volumes, overflow catch tanks, safety and support hardware, instrumentation (temperature, pressure, flow) for data collection, and power supplies. This paper will discuss the design and current build status of the RxSim for delivery to GRC in early 2012.

Godfroy, Thomas↗
NASA NTRS2012

Aerospace Power Technology for Potential Terrestrial Applications

Aerospace technology that is being developed for space and aeronautical applications has great potential for providing technical advances for terrestrial power systems. Some recent accomplishments arising from activities being pursued at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Centers is described in this paper. Possible terrestrial applications of the new aerospace technology are also discussed.

Lyons, Valerie J.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Aerospace Power Technology for Potential Terrestrial Applications

Aerospace technology that is being developed for space and aeronautical applications has great potential for providing technical advances for terrestrial power systems. Some recent accomplishments arising from activities being pursued at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Centers is described in this paper. Possible terrestrial applications of the new aerospace technology are also discussed.

Lyons, Valerie J.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Portable High-Density Power Technology for Space, Lunar, and Planetary Applications

A new direct energy conversion concept called Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cell (NTAC) combined with a Metallic Junction Thermoelectric (MJ-TE) generator, both invented and patented by NASA, offers high specific power for portable applications. Estimates based on experimental results suggest superior performance compared to radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG) by up to two orders of magnitude for the NTAC and three to four times better for the MJ-TE generator for the same mass. The NTAC technology can use a variety of radioisotopes including nuclear waste to liberate a large number of intra-band(IB), inner shell electrons of atoms (105 C/cm3) by gamma-ray photons (100 keV to MeV). In contrast, conventional power generation has poor specific power because they only utilize the valence band electrons (3C/cm3) of the semiconductor or free electrons (8×103 C/cm3) of the conductor.

NTAC↗
NASA NTRS2011

A Summary of NASA Architecture Studies Utilizing Fission Surface Power Technology

Beginning with the Exploration Systems Architecture Study in 2005, NASA has conducted various mission architecture studies to evaluate implementation options for the U.S. Space Policy. Several of the studies examined the use of Fission Surface Power (FSP) systems for human missions to the lunar and Martian surface. This paper summarizes the FSP concepts developed under four different NASA-sponsored architecture studies: Lunar Architecture Team, Mars Architecture Team, Lunar Surface Systems/Constellation Architecture Team, and International Architecture Working Group-Power Function Team.

Mason, Lee S.↗
NASA NTRS2010

A Summary of NASA Architecture Studies Utilizing Fission Surface Power Technology

Beginning with the Exploration Systems Architecture Study in 2005, NASA has conducted various mission architecture studies to evaluate implementation options for the U.S. Space Policy (formerly the Vision for Space Exploration). Several of the studies examined the use of Fission Surface Power (FSP) systems for human missions to the lunar and Martian surface. This paper summarizes the FSP concepts developed under four different NASA-sponsored architecture studies: Lunar Architecture Team, Mars Architecture Team, Lunar Surface Systems/Constellation Architecture team, and International Architecture Working Group-Power Function team. The results include a summary of FSP design characteristics, a compilation of mission-compatible FSP configuration options, and an FSP concept-of-operations that is consistent with the overall mission objectives.

Mason, Lee↗
NASA NTRS2006

Novel Thermal Powered Technology for UUV Persistent Surveillance

Buoyancy Generation: Various technology attempts include melting a wax, which pushes directly against a piston (U.S. Patent 5,291,847) or against a bladder (Webb Research), using ammonia or Freon 21 (U.S. Patent 5,303,552), and using solar heat to expand an oil (www.space.com, April, 10, 2002). All these heat-activated buoyancy control designs have thus far proved impractical and have ultimately failed during repeated cycling in ocean testing. JPL has demonstrated fully reversible 10 C encapsulated wax phase change, which can be used to change buoyancy without electrical hydraulic pumps. This technique has greatly improved heat transfer and much better reversibility than previous designs. Power Generation: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems have been designed that transfer deep, cold sea water to the surface to generate electricity using turbine cycles with ammonia or water as the working fluid. JPL has designed several UUV systems: 1) Using a propeller water turbine to generate power on a gliding submersible; 2) Employing a compact CO2 turbine cycle powered by moving through thermoclines; and 3) Using melted wax to directly produce power through a piston-geared generator.

submersible↗
NASA NTRS1977

Space power technology applied to the energy problem

A solution to the energy problem is suggested through the technology of photovoltaic electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen. Efficient solar devices are discussed in relation to available solar energy, and photovoltaic energy cost. It is concluded that photovoltaic electrolytic generation of hydrogen will be economically feasible in 1985.

Miller, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS2003

NASA/MSFC Interest in Advanced Propulsion and Power Technologies

This viewgraph representation provides an overview of research being conducted at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Conventional propulsion systems are at near peak performance levels but will not enable the science and exploration deep space missions NASA envisions. Energetic propulsion technologies can make these missions possible but only if the fundamental problems of energy storage density and energy to energy thrust conversion efficiency are solved. Topics covered include: research rationale, limits of thermal propulsion systems, need for propulsion energetics research, emerging energetic propulsion technologies, and potential research opportunities.

Cole, John W.↗