Space power systems requirements and issues: the next decade

Some of the more important space power technology issues, requirements, and challenges of the 1990s are described, and the impact of new component technology on the overall performance of space power systems is assessed. Advanced component, subsystem and system technologies that will significantly affect the performance, reliability, and survivability of next-generation baseload and burst mode space power systems are emphasized. Technology disciplines related to power sources (solar/nuclear and chemical), power conversion, energy storage, power conditioning/distribution and control, and waste-heat acquisition, transport, and rejection are primarily addressed. For some of them, performance trends that can be used as the basis for projecting future advanced power-system performance are developed. Performance capabilities for several different types of space power system for both baseload and burst mode applications are postulated on the basis of evolving technology and point designs that incorporate projections of advanced component capabilities     

Energy and power

Energy sources for aerospace systems include electrochemicals, mechanical rotation, solar illumination, radioisotopes, and nuclear reactors. Energy is converted to power with engines, turbines, photovoltaics, thermoelectric and thermionic devices, and electrochemical processes. Although some early spacecraft flew with battery power, for longer flights the choice has been either solar or nuclear. Manned spacecraft must have power for the total mission duration including boost into orbit, on-orbit, and subsequent re-entry. Batteries are too heavy for extended manned space missions; tradeoff study alternatives range from radioisotope heated thermionic converters to hyperbolic-fueled engines. Arrays of solar cells are the obvious choice for powering space stations and for other extended-duration missions. This article emphasizes developments for space and airplane power systems. Enabling technologies are described along with significant spin-offs and future systems     

Design and integration of a solar AMTEC power system with anadvanced global positioning satellite

A 1,200-W solar AMTEC (alkali metal thermal-to-electric conversion) power system concept was developed and integrated with an advanced global positioning system (GPS) satellite. The critical integration issues for the SAMTEC with the GPS subsystems included: (1) packaging within the Delta II launch vehicle envelope; (2) deployment and start-up operations for the SAMTEC; (3) SAMTEC operation during all mission phases; (4) satellite field of view restrictions with satellite operations; and (5) effect of the SAMTEC requirements on other satellite subsystems. The SAMTEC power system was compared with a conventional planar solar array/battery power system to assess the differences in system weight, size, and operations, Features of the design include the use of an advanced multitube, vapor anode AMTEC cell design with 24% conversion efficiency, and a direct solar insolation receiver design with integral LiF salt canisters for energy storage to generate power during the maximum solar eclipse cycle, The modular generator design consists of an array of multitube AMTEC cells arranged into a parallel/series electrical network with built-in cell redundancy. Our preliminary assessment indicates that the solar generator design is scaleable over a 500 to 2,500-W range. No battery power is required during the operational phase of the GPS mission. SAMTEC specific power levels greater than 5 We/kg and 160 We/m² are anticipated for a mission duration of 10 to 12 years in orbits with high natural radiation backgrounds     

燃料电池无人机动力系统方案设计与试验

针对燃料电池为主能源的无人机（UAV）动力系统,设计了纯燃料电池动力系统、燃料电池/蓄电池（简称燃蓄）被/主动混合动力系统3种拓扑结构方案。以空冷质子交换膜燃料电池为例,搭建了燃料电池动力系统方案一体化试验平台。考虑阶梯型和阶跃型2种加载形式,试验研究了燃料电池自身的动态特性和启动特性。以阶梯型功率剖面的加载形式,试验研究了纯燃料电池动力系统放电特性;以无人机典型任务剖面作为加载形式,开展燃蓄被/主动混合动力系统对比试验研究。试验结果表明：纯燃料电池动力方案适用于低机动小型无人机,燃蓄被动混合方案可满足小型无人机大机动飞行,燃蓄主动混合方案系统可适应中大型无人机更长航时飞行。     

燃料电池无人机能源管理与飞行状态耦合

开展了燃料电池/锂电池（简称燃锂）混合动力无人机的能源管理与飞行状态耦合研究。综合顶层飞行任务规划与底层能源系统管理，以动力系统模型为耦合点联立能源系统与无人机运动方程，建立能源状态与运动状态耦合模型。针对燃锂混合最紧密的爬升过程，以迎角、转速和燃料电池的放电功率作为控制变量，建立了燃料消耗最小的能源管理与航迹规划耦合最优控制问题，研究不同爬升高度对最优控制过程的影响，并与模糊控制能源管理策略进行对比分析。针对大功率短时爬升和小功率长时巡航的典型任务特点，建立了燃锂最优混合问题。研究了最优的锂电池容量和燃料电池功率水平的混合量，以及爬升和巡航两阶段最优功率分配和飞行状态，分析了不同巡航目标高度对最优混合量和飞行状态的影响。结果表明：采用能源与航迹耦合的最优控制策略在给出最优功率流分配的同时，能够很好地兼顾飞行状态控制；对燃锂混合和飞行状态的综合优化可以有效地处理爬升和巡航阶段的能源需求矛盾，在给出最优燃锂混合量和飞行状态的同时，降低整个任务过程的燃料消耗。     

Parametric cost model for solar space power and DIPS systems

A detailed cost model has been developed to parametrically determine the program development and production cost of photovoltaic, solar dynamic, and dynamic isotope (DIPS) space power systems. The model is applicable in the net electrical power range of 3 to 300 kWe for solar power and 0.5 to 10 kWe for DIPS. Application of the cost model allows spacecraft or space-based power system architecture and design trade studies or budgetary forecasting and cost benefit analyses. The cost model considers all major power subsystems (i.e., power generation, power conversion, energy storage, thermal management, and power management/distribution/control). It also considers system cost effects such as integration, testing, and management. The cost breakdown structure, model assumptions, ground rules, bases, cost estimation relationship format, and rationale are presented, and the application of the cost model to 100-kWe solar space power plants and to a 1.0-kWe DIPS is demonstrated     

Fuel mass penalty due to generators and fuel cells as energy source of the all-electric aircraft

The paper presents the results of an assessment of the fuel mass penalty due to generators and fuel cell systems. Based on the simulation tool SysFuel, fuel mass penalties for different mission ranges and fuel cell architectures are calculated and compared to a conventional reference architecture. Different fuel cell architectures using ram air or cabin exhaust air and different options of energy recovery are considered. As a result of the studies, target values are presented for the mass to power ratio of fuel cell systems to achieve fuel mass reductions compared to conventional generator and auxiliary power unit systems.     

First Mars outpost power systems

Research into potential power systems for the First Mars Outpost (FMO) was performed. The author examined a representative mission architecture which was developed by NASA to determine power system requirements. Power system options including nuclear, isotope, photovoltaic (PV), chemical heat engine, and regenerative fuel cell (RFC) concepts were identified for potential Mars surface applications. A top-level characterization study was conducted to determine power system mass and area for each application. It is seen that PV systems are generally not suited for Mars surface applications due to the large surface area required and higher mass than a closed Brayton cycle SP100 reactor system. A reactor is currently being considered by NASA Lewis Research Center to provide power for base architectures including an ISRU (in situ resource utilization). An oxygen/methane powered heat engine would provide 40 kWe of emergency power for the habitat. A dynamic isotope power system (DIPS) is the current choice for a long-duration pressurized rover due to the excessive size of a PV/RFC system and higher mass of a heat engine system. DIPS has advantages for other low power systems due to its neatly immediate availability and flexibility (night or day power; no recharging required)     

并联混合动力齿轮传动涡扇发动机建模与性能分析

为对比探究未来大推力航空混合动力系统与传统航空发动机的优劣,本文依托某概念型齿轮传动涡扇(Geared turbofan,GTF)发动机,设计了一个并联航空油-电混合动力系统(hybrid GTF,hGTF),在Matlab /Simulink数字仿真软件中建立相匹配的电动力模型以及氮氧化物NOx排放和噪声预测等性能参数计算模型,并在稳态和飞行任务剖面下初步分析了电动力系统的引入对原基线GTF发动机的性能改变状况。稳态仿真结果表明,大推力等级的并联油-电混合动力系统中,至少需要兆瓦级的电动力系统进行匹配;当电动力系统处于电动模式时,可能会带来低压压气机喘振的隐患;当电动力系统处于再生模式时,电能源相当于经过了电能到机械能再到电能的二次效率损失,不建议采用。飞行任务剖面动态仿真结果表明,相比于传统GTF发动机,hGTF推进系统的燃油消耗率最高下降15%,总燃油消耗节省8.3%, NOx总排放量减少18.8%,各部件起飞噪声总声压级减少1.5~3.3dB。分析结果表明采用并联混合动力系统具有显著提升省油、减排效果的能力,同时也具有一定的降噪潜力。     

"Electric Airplane" Environmental Control Systems Energy Requirements

The "electric airplane" environmental control system (ECS) design drivers is discussed for an electric airplane from two aspects. The first aspect considered is the type of aircraft. The three examples selected are the 150-passenger commercial airline transport, the military on-station electronic-surveillance patrol aircraft, and the air-defense interceptor fighter. These vehicle examples illustrate the effect of both mission and mission profile on the design requirements of the ECS and the differences that the requirements make on the resulting advantages and disadvantages of electrification. For the commercial transport, the selection of the air source for ventilation will be featured. For the patrol aircraft, the cooling unit will be evaluated. For the fighter, emphasis will be placed on the need for systems integration. The second and more important consideration is the definition of the environmental control system requirements for both energy supply and heat sink thermal management integration from the power plant (engine) that make an electric ECS viable for each type of vehicle.     

The New Horizons Pluto Kuiper Belt Mission: An Overview with Historical Context

NASA’s New Horizons (NH) Pluto–Kuiper Belt (PKB) mission was selected for development on 29 November 2001 following a competitive selection resulting from a NASA mission Announcement of Opportunity. New Horizons is the first mission to the Pluto system and the Kuiper belt, and will complete the reconnaissance of the classical planets. New Horizons was launched on 19 January 2006 on a Jupiter Gravity Assist (JGA) trajectory toward the Pluto system, for a 14 July 2015 closest approach to Pluto; Jupiter closest approach occurred on 28 February 2007. The ～400 kg spacecraft carries seven scientific instruments, including imagers, spectrometers, radio science, a plasma and particles suite, and a dust counter built by university students. NH will study the Pluto system over an 8-month period beginning in early 2015. Following its exploration of the Pluto system, NH will go on to reconnoiter one or two 30–50 kilometer diameter Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) if the spacecraft is in good health and NASA approves an extended mission. New Horizons has already demonstrated the ability of Principal Investigator (PI) led missions to use nuclear power sources and to be launched to the outer solar system. As well, the mission has demonstrated the ability of non-traditional entities, like the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) and the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to explore the outer solar system, giving NASA new programmatic flexibility and enhancing the competitive options when selecting outer planet missions. If successful, NH will represent a watershed development in the scientific exploration of a new class of bodies in the solar system—dwarf planets, of worlds with exotic volatiles on their surfaces, of rapidly (possibly hydrodynamically) escaping atmospheres, and of giant impact derived satellite systems. It will also provide other valuable contributions to planetary science, including: the first dust density measurements beyond 18 AU, cratering records that shed light on both the ancient and present-day KBO impactor population down to tens of meters, and a key comparator to the puzzlingly active, former dwarf planet (now satellite of Neptune) called Triton which is in the same size class as the small planets Eris and Pluto.     

Cosmic rays in the outer solar system

A space mission to Jupiter and Saturn, and beyond, provides an opportunity to explore the low energy galactic cosmic rays, which are largely excluded from the inner solar system by the outward sweep of the magnetic fields in the solar wind. The low energy cosmic rays are believed to be responsible for much of the heating of the gaseous disk of the galaxy, so a measurement of their intensity will have far reaching effects on theories of the interstellar gas and the evolution of the galaxy. The nuclear abundances, and in particular the presence or absence of high Z nuclei, will give critical information on the proximity of cosmic ray sources.This is one of the publications by the Science Advisory Group.     

Electric space propulsion systems

Active development of electric thrustors began 10 years ago. Today, several kinds of thrustors have achieved efficiencies above 90 % and lifetimes of several thousand hours. The following article derives the basic theory of electric thrust production at constant exhaust velocity, and at variable exhaust velocity programmed for optimum vehicle performance. Electrothermal or arcjet; electrostatic or ion; and electrodynamic or plasma thrustors are described. At the present time, ion thrustors of the electron bombardment and of the surface ionization types are the most promising systems. Electric power in space may be generated by solar cells or nuclear-electric generators. It is expected that the incore thermionic converter will eventually be the preferred system. A variety of missions with electric propulsion systems appear feasible and highly desirable, among them orbital station keeping, attitude control, planetary probes, solar and out-of-the-ecliptic probes, deep-space probes, and manned Mars and Venus exploration. For each mission, a careful systems-design study must be made, which will provide the optimum selection of thrustor type, thrust level, exhaust velocity, thrust program, power source, trajectory, and flight plan.     

Thermionic/AMTEC cascade converter concept for high-efficiencyspace power

This paper presents trade studies that address the use of the thermionic/AMTEC cell-a cascaded, high efficiency, static power conversion concept that appears well-suited to space power applications. Both the thermionic and AMTEC power conversion approaches have been shown to be promising candidates for space power. Thermionics offers system compactness via modest efficiency at high heat rejection temperatures, and AMTEC offers high efficiency at modest heat rejection temperature. From a thermal viewpoint, the two are ideally suited for cascaded power conversion: thermionic heat rejection and AMTEC heat source temperatures are essentially the same. In addition to realizing conversion efficiencies potentially as high as 35-40% such a cascade offers the following perceived benefits: Survivability-capable of operation in the Van Allen belts; Simplicity-static conversion, no moving parts; Long lifetime-no inherent life-limiting mechanisms identified; Technology readiness-Large thermionic database; AMTEC efficiencies of 18% currently being demonstrated, with more growth potential available; and Technology growth-applicable to both solar thermal and reactor-based nuclear space power systems. Mechanical approaches and thermal/electric matching criteria for integrating thermionics and AMTEC into a single conversion device are described. Focusing primarily on solar thermal space power applications, parametric trends are presented to show the performance and cost potential that should be achievable with present-day technology in cascaded thermionic/AMTEC systems     

Ultra-lightweight space power from hybrid thin-film solar cells

The development of hybrid inorganic/organic thin-film solar cells on flexible, lightweight, space-qualified, durable substrates provides an attractive solution for space power generation with high mass specific power (W/kg). The high-volume, low-cost fabrication potential of organic cells will allow for square miles of solar cell production at one-tenth the cost of conventional inorganic materials. Plastic solar cells take a minimum of storage space and can be inflated or unrolled for deployment. We explore a cross-section of NASA in-house and sponsored research efforts that aim to provide new hybrid technologies that include both inorganic and polymer materials as active and substrate materials. For NASA applications, any solar cell or array technology must not only meet weight and AMO efficiency goals, but also must be durable enough to survive launch and space environments. Also, balance of system technologies must be developed to take advantage of ultra-lightweight solar arrays in power generation systems.     

Tandem solar cells with 31% (AM0) and 37% (AM1.5D) energyconversion efficiencies

The authors demonstrate that the efficiency of GaAs satellite solar cells can be increased to 31% (AM0) with two straightforward modifications. First, the wire grid reflection losses on the GaAs cell can be eliminated by attaching and aligning a thin grooved cover slide. The grooves in this cover slide deflect the incident light rays away from the wire grid lines into the cell active area, increasing the efficiency from 22% to 24%. The second modification involves making the GaAs cell transparent to the infrared energy that normally is wasted and then placing an infrared sensitive GaSb booster cell behind the GaAs cell. This increases the AM0 solar energy conversion efficiency from 24% to 31%. The GaAs/GaSb tandem solar cells have conversion efficiencies of 37% if used for terrestrial (AM1.5) rather than space (AM0) solar electric power systems, high enough that utility-scale solar electric power may someday be economical     

Hybrid life support systems with integrated fuel cells and photobioreactors for a lunar base

The development of regenerative and sustainable life support systems (LSS) is a basic prerequisite to realize human long-term habitation in space. An efficient and reliable LSS is of high importance for assembling a future research base on the Moon and for further human space exploration missions beyond Low Earth Orbit. Because of longer distance to Earth and longer transfer times new requirements appear for LSS operation and functionality in comparison to the International Space Station. The minimization of resupply mass is a crucial factor to cope with this challenge. Regenerating the main media oxygen, water, and carbon as well as demonstrating a closed loop are essential milestones for an efficient and sustainable LSS. The logical step between partly regenerative physico-chemical and bioregenerative LSS is a so-called hybrid LSS characterized by the crosslinked integration of physico-chemical and simple biological system components.The Institute of Space Systems of the University of Stuttgart (IRS), the Institute of Technical Thermodynamics (ITT) of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and the Fraunhofer-Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB) work together in a project on advanced LSS research and development. The IRS will investigate the integration of a photobioreactor (PBR) for algae cultivation as biological component and a reversible proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEFC) as physico-chemical component into an LSS. Algae in the PBR absorb the carbon dioxide exhaled by the crew and produce biomass (food) and oxygen under light influence. The oxygen can be directed either into the crew cabin or into the fuel cell for generating electricity. Vice versa the electrolysis process splits water (from the PBR or the fuel cell process) into oxygen and hydrogen used as energy storage or propellant. Main task at IRS is a feasibility study on the mentioned technologies, considering the capability of media and product regeneration as well as the ability of integration of the components into a system. Synergies, mass reduction, dissimilar redundancy, and safety enhancement must be taken into account in order to specify integration problems and filtration costs. The IGB supports this study by its expertise in PBR operation, algae cultivation, and algae species selection. The ITT investigates the coupling of the PBR with three different fuel cell types: namely PEFC, SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell), and AFC (Alkaline Fuel Cell) under electrochemical performance aspects. The influence of PBR products on performance and lifetime of the different fuel cells is of high interest. The potential of potable water and electrical power supply is considered.     

Comparative analysis of energy storage media and techniques

Techniques for storing and converting energy from one form to another are examined. The parameters of interest are storage density (in terms of both energy and power), conversion efficiency, and number of steps in the conversion process. The techniques compared are electrostatic, magnetic, inertial, chemical, thermal, and nuclear. Each technique for storage is discussed in terms of the ease with which the energy can be converted to electricity for powering lightweight compact power systems for a variety of uses. The storage density associated with the various mechanisms spans an enormous range (~0.5 MJ/kg to ~10⁵ MJ/kg). The impact upon time-to-refuel within the context of mobile tactical army applications is discussed     

State of art on energy management strategy for hybrid-powered unmanned aerial vehicle

New energy sources such as solar energy and hydrogen energy have been applied to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV), which could be formed as the hybrid power sources due to the requirement of miniaturization, lightweight, and environmental protection issue for UAV. Hybrid electrical propulsion technology has been used in UAV and it further enforces this trend for the evolution to the Hybrid-Powered System(HPS). In order to realize long endurance flight mission and improve the energy efficiency of UAV, many researching works are focused on the Energy Management Strategy(EMS) of the HPS with digital simulation, ground demonstration platforms and a few flight tests for the UAV in recent years. energy management strategy, in which off-line or on-line control algorithms acted as the core part, could optimize dynamic electrical power distribution further and directly affect the efficiency and fuel economy of hybrid-powered system onboard.In order to give the guideline for this emerging technology for UAV, this paper presents a review of the topic highlighting energy optimal management strategies of UAV. The characteristics of typical new energy sources applied in UAV are summarized firstly, and then the classification and analysis of the architecture for hybrid power systems in UAV are presented. In the context of new energy sources and configuration of energy system, a comprehensive comparison and analysis for the state of art of EMS are presented, and the various levels of complexity and accuracy of EMS are considered in terms of real time, computational burden and optimization performance based on the optimal control and operational modes of UAV. Finally, the tendency and challenges of energy management strategy applied to the UAV have been forecasted.