Strategies of developing advanced lunar power systems

Electric and thermal power have to be available at the base site on the lunar surface before the first lunar crew arrives. Unlimited solar energy is available during the lunar day, but this must be stored for use during the lunar night unless nuclear energy systems are available. State-of-the-art candidate systems are reviewed and the production of solar cells on the moon is discussed. Various options for developing a lunar power plant are proposed. These must be simulated and optimized in a real life-cycle systems scenario to provide operations and cost data essential for choosing a strategy.     

Sandwich module prototype progress for space solar power

Space solar power (SSP) has been broadly defined as the collection of solar energy in space and its wireless transmission for use on earth. This approach potentially gives the benefit of provision of baseload power while avoiding the losses due to the day/night cycle and tropospheric effects that are associated with terrestrial solar power. Proponents have contended that the implementation of such systems could offer energy security, environmental, and technological advantages to those who would undertake their development. Among recent implementations commonly proposed for SSP, the modular symmetrical concentrator (MSC) and other modular concepts have received considerable attention. Each employs an array of modules for performing conversion of concentrated sunlight into microwaves or laser beams for transmission to earth. While prototypes of such modules have been designed and developed previously by several groups, none have been subjected to the challenging conditions inherent to the space environment and the possible solar concentration levels in which an array of modules might be required to operate. The research described herein details our team's efforts in the development of photovoltaic arrays, power electronics, microwave conversion electronics, and antennas for microwave-based “sandwich” module prototypes. The implementation status and testing results of the prototypes are reviewed.     

Strategies of developing advanced lunar power systems

Electric and thermal power have to be available at the base site on the lunar surface before the first lunar crew arrives. Unlimited solar energy is available during the lunar day, but this must be stored for use during the lunar night unless nuclear energy systems are available. State-of-the-art candidate systems are reviewed and the production of solar cells on the moon is discussed. Various options for developing a lunar power plant are proposed. These must be simulated and optimized in a real lifecycle systems scenario to provide operations and cost data essential for choosing a strategy.     

立方星电源系统最大功率点跟踪优化控制方法

针对立方星在能量来源严重受限条件下如何提高太阳能利用率的难题，提出一种适用于立方星的集中供电式空间微电源架构(EPS)，并设计基于改进粒子群优化算法的最大功率点跟踪(MPPT)控制策略来提升能量转换效率。首先，推导太阳电池阵列的数学模型，并根据太阳电池阵列的工作特性，提出电源系统最大功率点跟踪控制的物理系统实现结构。其次，设计基于改进粒子群优化(PSO)的最大功率点跟踪控制算法，并进行了数学仿真校验。最后，对所设计的电源系统架构进行了硬件实现和试验验证。地面试验结果表明，电源系统的太阳能最大转换效率可达95.5%。该电源系统成功应用于世界首颗12U立方星“翱翔之星”的飞行试验，在轨数据表明电源系统工作状态良好，为微纳卫星电源系统的设计提供了有益参考。     

European Sail Tower SPS concept

Based on a DLR-study in 1998/99 on behalf of ESA/ESTEC called “System Concepts, Architectures and Technologies for Space Exploration and Utilization (SE&U)” a new design for an Earth-orbiting Solar Power Satellite (SPS) has been developed. The design is called “European Sail Tower SPS” and consists mainly of deployable sail-like structures derived from the ongoing DLR/ESA solar sail technology development activity. Such a SPS satellite features an extremely light-weight and large tower-like orbital system and could supply Europe with significant amounts of electrical power generated by photovoltaic cells and subsequently transmitted to Earth via microwaves. In order to build up the sail tower, 60 units - each consisting of a pair of square-shaped sails - are moved from LEO to GEO with electric propulsion and successively assembled in GEO robotically on a central strut. Each single sail has dimensions of 150m × 150 m and is automatically deployed, using four diagonal light-weight carbon fiber (CFRP) booms which are initially rolled up on a central hub. The electric thrusters for the transport to GEO could also be used for orbit and attitude control of the assembled tower which has a total length of about 15 km and would be mainly gravity gradient stabilized. Employing thin film solar cell technology, each sail is used as a solar array and produces an electric power in orbit of about 3.7 MW_e. A microwave antenna with a diameter of 1 km transmits the power to a 10 km rectenna on the ground. The total mass of this 450 MW SPS is about 2100 tons. First estimates indicate that the costs for one kWh delivered in this way could compete with present day energy costs, if launch costs would decrease by two orders of magnitude. Furthermore, mass production and large numbers of installed SPS systems must be assumed in order to lower significantly the production costs and to reduce the influence of the expensive technology development. The paper presents the technical concept and an economic assessment as well as results of a recent solar sail deployment ground demonstration at DLR's facilities in Cologne.     

新型大尺度空间微波功率发射阵列的考虑

以空间太阳能电站为应用代表的微波功率传输系统中,微波功率发射阵列是其中的核心组成部分。为保证特定传输距离限制下的波束收集效率,目前国际上多种空间太阳能电站方案中收发天线口径都达到了km级以上。在空间构建大尺度的微波功率发射有源相控阵,面临的主要问题有：发射阵列电性能的高要求、发射阵列折叠状态的总体积限制、大功率发射阵列的热控问题。针对这些问题,文章提出了新型大尺度空间微波功率发射阵列的一些研究及设计考虑,主要包括大尺度阵列同源分发倍频的频率分配方案;高效率高集成功率发射组件技术;大尺度阵列相位同步与误差自校正技术;低剖面天线结构及型面误差补偿技术;大型天线3D打印在轨建造方案设想以及空间微波功率发射阵列热控新思路等。文章提出了新型大尺度空间微波功率发射阵列3个方面的6个主要问题,可为空间太阳能电站系统提供可优化、开放性的设计与发展思路。     

Heat storage and electricity generation in the Moon during the lunar night

One of the biggest challenges of the exploration of the Moon is the survival of the crew and the lunar assets during the lunar night. The environmental conditions on the lunar surface and its cycle, with long periods of darkness, make any long mission in need of specific amounts of heat and electricity to be successful. We have analyzed two different systems to produce heat and electricity on the Moon's surface. The first system consists of Thermal Wadis, sources of thermal power that can be used to supply heat to protect the exploration systems from the extreme cold during periods of darkness. Previous results showed that Wadis can supply enough heat to keep lunar devices such as rovers above their minimum operating temperature (approximately 243 K). The second system studied here is the Thermal Energy Storage (TES), which is able to run a heat engine during the lunar night to produce electricity. When the Sun is shining on the Moon's surface, the system can run the engine directly using the solar power and simultaneously heat a thermal mass. This thermal mass is used as a high temperature source to run the heat engine during the night. We present analytical and numerical calculations for the determination of an appropriate thermal mass for the TES system.     

A new approach to optimum sizing and in-orbit utilization of spacecraft photovoltaic power systems

This paper presents a systems approach to optimization of the size and orbital life of photovoltaic systems via minimizing the nighttime energy demand while maximizing the daytime energy consumption. The Day-Night Management of Load (DANMOE) strategy calls for sizing the system to a pre-selected day/night average load power ratio and operating the spacecraft in orbit within the day and night capacity capability, rather than the conventional single orbital average power capability. Examples for the Space Station and the telecommunication satellites show that the reduction in their specific masses can be substantial using any of the photovoltaic system technologies. The DANMOE scheme may also be used effectively to extend the life of batteries on currently orbiting satellites, and hence prolong their lifetime. The paper also discusses other benefits at the spacecraft level and the method of implementing the DANMOE approach.     

空间太阳能发电站拓扑架构及能量管理控制策略

针对超大功率空间太阳能电站(SSPS),提出了一种分布式+集中式系统拓扑架构,将系统电力传输分为太阳电池阵区、主结构电力传输区及发射天线阵区三大部分。根据系统三大阵区的能量流动关系,本文将SSPS系统的工作模式划分为最大功率点跟踪(MPPT)工作模式、跟踪功率指令工作模式及阴影区工作模式,并提出分层能源管理控制策略。最后,针对兆瓦级太阳电池阵的不同工作模式,利用Matlab/Simulink搭建空间太阳能电站系统仿真模型,进行仿真试验及对比分析,试验结果验证了拓扑架构的合理性及控制策略的有效性,为解决空间太阳能发电技术电力传输与能量管理问题提出了新思路。     

太阳能飞行器能源昼夜闭环仿真分析

以能量为核心，建立太阳能飞行器的获能模型；通过对太阳能飞行器飞行剖面特点的分析，设计飞行过程中各个阶段的飞行方案，并建立相应的耗能模型；考虑目前储能电池技术水平，根据产能和耗能模型，建立储能模型，完成了能源闭环模型的设计；参照Zephyr 7太阳能无人机的结构参数对论文建立的模型进行了仿真分析，获取了飞行过程中能量变化规律，同时对飞行姿态进行优化。结果表明：通过对太阳能飞行器昼夜飞行高度的不同设置以及飞行姿态角的优化，太阳能飞行器可以实现跨昼夜持久飞行。     

兆瓦级探月火箭空间核电源系统设计与性能研究

针对目前空间核电源在深空探测领域功率不足的问题，结合热离子热电转换空间核电源和碱金属热电转换空间核电源的发电方式，提出一种新型空间核电源。计算堆芯有效增殖因子、功率峰值因子、冷却剂空泡系数和停堆深度等安全性参数，并通过分析接收极功函数和碱金属热电转换系统电流密度等性能参数。之后，对比耦合发电系统与原热离子热电转换空间核电源和碱金属热电转换空间核电源的效率，发现新型耦合发电系统发电效率分别较另两种发电系统提高约6％和约10％。最后建立动态模型进行分析，确保核电源可以稳定运行，为大功率核电源设计提供理论依据。     

Early commercial demonstration of space solar power using ultra-lightweight arrays

Space solar power shows great promise for future energy sources worldwide. Most central power stations operate with power capacity of 1000 MW or greater. Due to launch size limitations and specific power of current, rigid solar arrays, the largest solar arrays that have flown in space are around 50 kW. Thin-film arrays offer the promise of much higher specific power and deployment of array sizes up to several MW with current launch vehicles. An approach to early commercial applications for space solar power to distribute power to charge hand-held, mobile battery systems by wireless power transmission (WPT) from thin-film solar arrays in quasi-stationary orbits will be presented. Four key elements to this prototype will be discussed: (1) Space and near-space testing of prototype wireless power transmission by laser and microwave components including WPT space to space and WPT space to near-space HAA transmission demonstrations; (2) distributed power source for recharging hand-held batteries by wireless power transmission from MW space solar power systems; (3) use of quasi-geostationary satellites to generate electricity and distribute it to targeted areas; and (4) architecture and technology for ultra-lightweight thin-film solar arrays with specific energy exceeding 1 kW/kg. This approach would yield flight demonstration of space solar power and wireless power transmission of 1.2 MW. This prototype system will be described, and a roadmap will be presented that will lead to still higher power levels.     

应用于立方星的剪叉式可展开太阳电池阵机构

立方星在轨任务期间的能源供给主要依靠蓄电池或体装太阳能电池阵。随着微小航天器技术的发展,立方星功能密度越来越大,星上载荷对功率的需求越来越高,传统的电池板供能方式已很难满足未来空间任务需求。另外,立方星因其特有的尺寸规范和标准,对电池阵的收纳尺寸和展开机构也有特殊应用需求。基于上述背景和立方星的结构特点,设计了一种展开原理简单、扩展性好、折展比大的一维剪叉式空间可展开机构,进行了原理样机的加工制造和地面展开试验,验证了机构设计的功能可行性以及设计参数的合理性。机构展开后阵列发电功率是传统供能方式的3~5倍,且特殊的几何外形可提供被动重力梯度稳定优势,在提升未来立方星载荷能力方面有重要应用价值。     

阴影遮挡对太阳电池阵发电能力影响的仿真分析

航天器太阳电池阵的在轨发电能力会由于舱体等对太阳光的遮挡而受到影响。文章通过建立太阳电池电路模型,利用Saber仿真平台进行仿真,得到太阳电池单串电路遮挡片数与功率输出的关系曲线,利用MatLab进行了基于每个单串电池电路的遮挡计算,最终计算得到自主飞行阶段的阴影遮挡造成的太阳电池阵功率损失率。比较新计算方法与传统计算方法的计算结果表明,新方法的计算精度更高,尤其是在被遮挡的电池片数量较少时,新方法的优势更加突出。     

空间太阳能电站构想及其相关技术的发展

文章介绍了太阳功率卫星（SPS）的发展背景、基本原理和系统构成,分析了实现SPS的主要技术条件。通过分析目前国际上建设SPS所开展的实验及其相关技术的发展,以期对中国未来发展空间太阳能电站技术提供借鉴。     

Study on Multi-Rotary Joints Space Power Satellite Concept

The Space Power Satellite(SPS) would be a huge spacecraft capturing the power of solar radiation in space and to supply electric power to the electric grid on the ground. The SPS concept was proposed by Dr. Peter Glaser in 1968. SPS have been studied now for exactly fifty years by many scientists in various countries. It has been regarded as one of the most promising energy projects of the future and has been attracting more attention in recent years. More and more Chinese scholars and experts are paying attention to the development of SPS. Due to the huge size, immense mass and high power of such a satellite system, there are many technical difficulties which exist to realize SPS. In this paper, recent SPS research and development activities are reviewed first. Various SPS concepts are analyzed and compared. The primary scheme of the Multi-Rotary joint SPS(MR-SPS) is described. The main feature is that the huge solar array comprising many separate small solar sub-arrays and each solar sub-array has two middle power rotary joints. So, the most challenging technology, the high-power rotary joint, is simplified by using many middlepower rotary joints hence the possibility of a single-point failure of a single rotary joint is avoided. This enables easy assembly of the modular solar arrays. Finally some key technologies of MR-SPS are analyzed.     

太阳电池在平流层中的工作性能分析

近年来,临近空间受到广泛关注,多种平流层飞行器被提出,它们大多以太阳电池为 主要的能源获取装置。研究平流层的太阳电池的性能,对平流层的开发和利用具有重要意义 。首先建立了平流层中太阳电池的热环境模型,并结合硅太阳电池的电学模型,得到了 平流层中硅太阳电池的热电耦合分析模型,进而用数值模拟方法对太阳能电池的热学、电学 性能进行了分析和讨论。研究结果表明,平流层热环境的变化对太阳能电池的温度、输出功 率以及电效率都有影响。讨论了风速对太阳电池性能的影响,结果表明随着风速的增 加,太阳电池温度降低、内部温差先增加后减小、发电效率和输出功率都增加。
     

增透膜在槽式太阳能高温集热管产业化生产中的应用

高温太阳能集热管作为槽式太阳能热发电系统的核心部件,直接影响其发电效率。文章研究了采用溶胶-凝胶技术和提拉法在高温太阳能集热管的玻璃外管上镀制增透膜,大大地提高了集热管的集热效率;研制了年产15万支的集热管增透膜镀膜自动化生产线,产业化能力得到稳步提升。     

Experimental results of the Japanese BSE program

The Japanese Medium-scale Broadcasting Satellite for Experimental Purpose (BSE) is a three axis stabilized spacecraft having a Sun-oriented solar array for high power generation. This paper will present the BSE mission objectives, spacecraft and ground systems configurations and some of experimental results on TV broadcasting, K-band radio-wave propagation, etc.