Multi-kilowatt solar cell power - Its critical technology and hardware development
Program review on critical areas of technology associated with solar cell battery power systems for manned spacecraft
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Electrical power system design for a Jupiter solar electric propulsion mission.
Solar electric power system for ion propelled Jupiter flyby mission, noting photovoltaic solar array, battery energy storage and power conditioning
Loucks, R.↗
Balloon batteries, charged and heated by solar energy
Shielded heat-of-fusion material envelope collects and stores solar heat to maintain temperature during the night cycle at 30,000 feet. Spiral-wound fluoroplastic film structure has low density to avoid damage to aircraft in case of impact.
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Power systems for the Apollo Applications Program.
Fuel cell /battery and solar array/ battery systems for manned Apollo Applications Program /AAP/ space vehicles, considering mission and power requirements
Daubert, D. L.↗
Electrical power systems for space - Achievements and issues
Electrical power systems for spacecraft, reviewing solar cells, batteries, fuel cells and radioisotope thermoelectric generators
Miller, P. R.↗
Solar array cost reduction
A brief description is given of the cost of solar power systems over the last decade and means by which cost reductions may be achieved in the future. Costs were broken down into nonrecurring and recurring costs for solar array, battery, and power conditioning. Correlation of costs with power were poor; however, costs correlated reasonably well with the array area.
Bernatowicz, D. T.↗
MSFC Skylab Apollo Telescope Mount thermal control system mission evaluation
The Skylab Saturn Workshop Assembly was designed to expand the knowledge of manned earth orbital operations and accomplish a multitude of scientific experiments. The Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM), a module of the Skylab Saturn Workshop Assembly, was the first manned solar observatory to successfully observe, monitor, and record the structure and behavior of the sun outside the earth's atmosphere. The ATM contained eight solar telescopes that recorded solar phenomena in X-ray, ultraviolet, white light, and hydrogen alpha regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. In addition, the ATM contained the Saturn Workshop Assembly's pointing and attitude control system, a data and communication system, and a solar array/rechargeable battery power system. This document presents the overall ATM thermal design philosophy, premission and mission support activity, and the mission thermal evaluation. Emphasis is placed on premission planning and orbital performance with particular attention on problems encountered during the mission. ATM thermal performance was satisfactory throughout the mission. Although several anomalies occurred, no failure was directly attributable to a deficiency in the thermal design.
Hueter, U.↗
Small space station electrical power system design concepts
A small manned facility, i.e., a small space station, placed in earth orbit by the Shuttle transportation system would be a viable, cost effective addition to the basic Shuttle system to provide many opportunities for R&D programs, particularly in the area of earth applications. The small space station would have many similarities with Skylab. This paper presents design concepts for an electrical power system (EPS) for the small space station based on Skylab experience, in-house work at Marshall Space Flight Center, SEPS (Solar Electric Propulsion Stage) solar array development studies, and other studies sponsored by MSFC. The proposed EPS would be a solar array/secondary battery system. Design concepts expressed are based on maximizing system efficiency and five year operational reliability. Cost, weight, volume, and complexity considerations are inherent in the concepts presented. A small space station EPS based on these concepts would be highly efficient, reliable, and relatively inexpensive.
Jones, G. M.↗
Direct-current drive for ac motors
Dual windings of ac motor serve as output transformer for dc/ac inversion. Method makes use of low-cost commutatorless ac motors, powered by solar energy, batteries and other dc sources possible.
Solario, J. N.↗
Synchronous meteorological and geostationary operational environmental satellites operational experience
The mode of operation that is of interest in this discussion is a solar array battery load-sharing mode. The battery is loaded for a fraction of a second and then charged, so the cycle is a 100 millisecond load, followed by a 500 millisecond charge. The purpose of the experiment was to evaluate the charge efficiency and the state of charge. Charge/discharge ratio graphs are presented.
Haas, R. J.↗
The critical satellite technical issues of future pervasive broadband low-cost communication networks
The critical technical issues of signal waveform design, projected spacecraft technology, satellite launch options, and satellite cost are discussed for future pervasive broadband communication networks. With DPCM video signal encoding, 32 Mb/s user-to-user data rate per channel, 10% overhead, two orthogonal polarizations, and crosstalk loss limited to 1 dB, TFM permits about 75 channels/GHz of frequency allocation. The BOM (beginning of mission) weight and power of a baseline 400-channel multibeam satellite is about 1800 kg and 5000 W. Each 35 Mb/s channel can support 1 to 10 video channels. The weight and power estimates assume hardened digital logic, composite materials for a multibeam antenna structure, high-efficiency solar cells, batteries, and amplifiers. Based on a cost model for large communication satellites, the total space segment cost of two active satellites and one spare would be about $485 M.
Harvey, R. L.↗
Plastic welder
Low-cost, self-contained, portable welder joins plastic parts by induction heating. Welder is useable in any atmosphere or in vacuum and with most types of thermoplastic; plastic components can be joined in situ. Device is applicable to aerospace industry and in automobile, furniture, and construction industries. Power requirements are easily met by battery or solar energy. In welder, toroidal inductor transfers magnetic flux through thermoplastic to screen. Heated screen causes plastic surface on either side to melt and flow into it to form joint.
Buckley, J. D.↗
Plasma chemistry for inorganic materials
Practical application of plasma chemistry to the development of inorganic materials using both low temperature and warm plasmas are summarized. Topics cover: the surface nitrification and oxidation of metals; chemical vapor deposition; formation of minute oxide particles; the composition of oxides from chloride vapor; the composition of carbides and nitrides; freezing high temperature phases by plasma arc welding and plasma jet; use of plasma in the development of a substitute for petroleum; the production of silicon for use in solar cell batteries; and insulating the inner surface of nuclear fusion reactor walls.
Matsumoto, O.↗
OAO-3 end of mission tests report
Twelve engineering type tests were performed on several subsystems and experiment(s) of the OAO 3 spacecraft near its end of mission. The systems tested include: Princeton experiment package (PEP), fine error system guidance, inertial reference unit, star trackers, heat pipes, thermal control coatings, command and data handling, solar array; batteries, and onboard processor/power boost regulator. Generally, the systems performed well for the 8 1/2 years life of OAO 3, although some degradation was noted in the sensitivity of PEP and in the absorptivity of the skin coatings. Battery life was prolonged during the life of the mission in large part by carefully monitoring the charge-discharge cycle with careful attention not to overcharge.
Kalil, F.↗
Analytical modeling of spacecraft power systems
Power system components are reviewed. Battery and solar array models are discussed. Shunt regulators, dc-dc converters, and cabling are also discussed.
Cassinelli, J.↗
Automatic Monitoring of Switching Power Supplies
Fast analysis of switching waveforms allows detection of impending failures. Switching power conditioner converts dc power from source such as battery or solar cell array to well regulated dc at convenient voltages and currents. Concept originally developed for space stations and spacecraft also suitable for power conditioning equipment in aircraft and in terrestrial photovoltaic power systems.
Moser, R. L.↗
The GLOMR satellite payload G-308
This paper describes the Global Low Orbiting Message Relay (GLOMR) Satellite and its participation in the pioneering development of a Get-Away-Special (GAS) satellite launch capability. The GLOMR is a data relay communication satellite designed and built by Defense Systems, Inc. (DSI), a private company located in the Washington, D.C. area. Experiment objectives are to demonstrate the store-forward relay of data/messages and the communication to ground user equipment. satellite, powered by lead-acid batteries and solar cells, includes processing, control and RF electronics for data message handling and storage. mounted through a Marman clamp ejection/retention pedestal to a five cubic foot GAS canister bottom plate. The GAS canister includes a Full Diameter Motorized Door Assembly (FDMDA) lid which is opened remotely by astronauts for satellite launch.
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Light-Flash Wind-Direction Indicator
Proposed wind-direction indicator read easily by distant observers. Indicator emits bright flashes of light separated by interval of time proportional to angle between true north and direction from which wind blowing. Timing of flashes indicates direction of wind. Flashes, from high-intensity stroboscopic lights seen by viewers at distances up to 5 miles or more. Also seen more easily through rain and fog. Indicator self-contained, requiring no connections to other equipment. Power demand satisfied by battery or solar power or both. Set up quickly to provide local surface-wind data for aircraft pilots during landing or hovering, for safety officers establishing hazard zones and safety corridors during handling of toxic materials, for foresters and firefighters conducting controlled burns, and for real-time wind observations during any of variety of wind-sensitive operations.
Zysko, Jan A.↗