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     

International Space Station power storage upgrade planned

As the Earth-orbit International Space Station (ISS) grows, it needs more power which is generated by solar panels. For periods in which the planet Earth occults sunlight, energy is stored in the biggest set of batteries ever flown in space. Reliability of power is important in a space station because a failure requires costly launch of replacement components. Even greater importance results when astronauts work in the station. A power failure that causes the astronauts to perish would be a very serious event. The first battery-containing "integrated equipment module" was launched November 30, 2000 and installed on port 6 of the International Space Station. Two more modules will be launched by the United States; to be launched in 2004 is the European Space Agency's "attached COLUMBUS APM laboratory," which will have its own power system. Unexpected battery-related events occurred in the integrated equipment module during its first year-and-a-half in orbit. The problems and their solutions were described in papers presented at the 37/sup th/ Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference. Since the International Space Station carries more battery cells than any other spacecraft, the in-flight performance data from its battery assembly can be useful to engineers who design power supplies for other spacecraft. We, therefore, summarize the battery development process, the adopted design, and an unexpected in-flight battery degradation and its correction.     

Design of the Space Station Freedom power system

The design of Space Station Freedom's electric power system (EPS) is reviewed, highlighting the key design goals of performance, low cost, reliability, and safety. The EPS design is divided into three separate areas: power generation and storage, power distribution, and power management and control. Both photovoltaic and solar dynamic power generation and storage systems are used. Tradeoff study results that illustrate the competing factors responsible for many of the more important design decisions are discussed. Reliability and maintainability, as well as verification and testing, are addressed     

Current status, architecture, and future technologies for theInternational Space Station electric power system

The Electric Power System (EPS) being built for the International Space Station has undergone several significant changes over the last year, as major design decisions have been made for the overall station. While the basic topology and system elements have remained the same, there are important differences in connectivity, assembly sequence, and start-up. The key drivers for these changes in architecture have been the goal to simplify verification, and most significantly, the introduction of extensive Russian participation in the program. Having the Russians join the international community in this project has resulted in an expanded station size, larger crew, and almost doubled the observable surface of the Earth covered by the station. For the power system it has meant additional interfaces for power transfer, and new challenges for solar tracking at the higher inclination orbit. This paper reviews the current architecture and emphasizes the new features that have evolved, as the design for the new, larger station has developed. Additionally, the possible application of developing technology to the station, and other future missions is considered     

Space Station Power System

A Space Station Task Force was established by NASA in May 1982 to provide focus and direction for space station planning activities. The Task Force also provides Congress and the Administration with sufficient information to allow them to make an informed decision on whether the United States should proceed with a space station as the next major national initiative in space. This paper presents the status of planning activities to date, with major emphasis on the power system, and discusses technology options, power requirements, and schedule.     

Space Station Payload Accommodation

The unique characteristics of the Space Station are changing the ways payloads are designed and accommodated for orbital flight. Station accommodations need to be versatile and operationally flexible to permit integration of many types of equipment in a variety of modes; and autonomous to render each payload independent or invisible to the rest of the system and other mission equipment. This paper presents the various categories of Space Station payloads, the user facilities that are being designed to accommodate them, illustrates through scientific and commercial scenarios the utilization of those facilities, and identifies the factors that must be considered to make the Space Station an effective tool for the users.     

空间天气事件对空间站的工程影响分析

基于历史统计数据,采用最坏情况分析方法,分析空间天气事件引发的带电粒子环境及大气密度变化对空间站的工程影响,结果显示:(1)发生强太阳质子事件并伴随强地磁扰动(Kp＞5)时,部分太阳质子可以到达空间站,但其对空间站元器件及材料在整个任务期内遭受的累积电离总剂量贡献不大;若航天员出舱活动持续8h,将遭受来自高能太阳质子的剂量当量为4mSv,大约相当于航天员驻留180d的1/80;(2)太阳耀斑和地磁暴均能引发大气密度变化,而地磁暴对空间站轨道影响较大,最恶劣情况多出现在太阳活动周下降期.即最坏情况下,在350km和400km高度,空间站轨道衰减率可分别增加652m/d和316m/d.     

Logistics Transportation for Space Station Support

Logistics support of a long duration space station will dictate a high degree of space flight activity to rotate personnel and transport supplies and equipment. Systems characteristics and mission requirements for space station logistics have been analyzed within the context of a broad spectrum of space missions. Preliminary concepts for a space shuttle system (space transportation) have been developed. This system can support not only a space station program, but a wide variety of space missions for both NASA and the DOD.     

巡天遨游15载写在"和平"号空间站寿终正寝之时

“和平”号空间站于３月２３日莫斯科时间９点０分１２秒成功坠落南太平洋，终结了其１５年的太空科研生涯。它是２０世纪俄罗斯航天事业和整个科学成就的象征，也是冷战期间美俄太空竞争的产物。在空间站运行的１５年期间，航天员进行了１．６５万次科学实验，完成了２３项国家科学考察计划，获得了大量数据、知识和成果，为人类进一步认识宇宙和远征火星作出了重要贡献     

跨世纪的航天工程国际空间站

国际空间站是世界航天领域最大规模的载人航天工程,它由6个实验舱、1个居住舱、3个结点舱、平衡系统、供电系统、服务系统和运输系统等组成,其总重为500吨。建成后的国际空间站可容纳7-15名航天员同时在太空工作     

Automation and Robotics for the Space Station: Recommendations

On January 25, 1984, President Reagan announced a United States program to place a permanent space station in orbit in 1992. The Congressional bill appropriating the funding for this program requires that a significant portion of the program funds be for the development of new automation and robotics technologies not in use on existing spacecraft. To assist it in developing plans to meet this requirement, NASA established an Automation and Robotics Panel in August 1984. This paper presents verbatim the Executive Summary of the Panel's report to NASA. It should be recognized that this report to NASA is advisory only, and that for a variety of reasons, including funding, what is actually implemented will certainly differ in many respects from the recommendations. Nevertheless, the report represents the thinking of a prestigious group of scholars and practitioners in automation and robotics, and many of the recommendations undoubtedly will be implemented. A summary of the NASA recommendations will be published following their official release.     

Space Station Freedom solar array design development

The solar array design is reviewed, highlighting the key design performance goals and problems. The design is described, and development testing objectives, results, and plans are examined. Study results that illustrate many of the more important design decisions are discussed     

Space power by ground-based laser illumination

Reducing energy storage requirements of space power systems by illuminating the photovoltaic arrays with a remotely located laser system is addressed. It is proposed that large lasers be located on cloud-free sites at one or more ground locations and that large lenses or mirrors with adaptive optical correction be used to reduce the beam spread due to diffraction or atmospheric turbulence. During the eclipse periods or lunar night, the lasers illuminate the solar arrays to a level sufficient to provide operating power. Two applications are discussed: illumination of geosynchronous orbit satellites and illumination of a moonbase power system. Issues for photovoltaic receivers for such a system are discussed     

Space power for an expanded vision

The author suggests that the problem with the space program in the 1990s is that there are few short term benefits that the public can directly relate to and no long term vision that will motivate them. Recent surveys have shown that public would support an expanded space program if they understood the specific short term purpose that provides benefits coupled to a longer term vision. The author discusses a proposed space program that has a 100 Year Vision and a specific beneficial near term purpose. The specific near term purpose is to return to the Moon and develop He for nuclear fusion power on Earth, and then expand into the Solar System and eventually to the nearby stars with the purpose of finding new life as a long term vision. This is how the author sees it unfolding-in three Epochs. Epoch I is proposed as the minimum near term space program. Space Station Freedom in near-Earth orbit being serviced by the Space Shuttle, the National Aerospace Plane and the Single-Stage-To-Orbit Vehicle. Just above Freedom is an Earth Observing System Satellite that, as part of Mission to Planet Earth, will monitor and analyze our planet's ecological systems. There are also a great many scientific, defense and launch systems whose technologies will evolve to play critical roles in future epochs     

国际空间站有效载荷安全性认证工作探讨

通过介绍NASA针对航天飞机、国际空间站等航天器上有效载荷安全性认证方面的组织机构及其职责、需开展认证的有效栽荷及其分类、典型有效载荷的安全性技术要求、有效载荷安全性认证工作流程等方面的内容,提出我国空间站工程在有效载荷安全性认证方面开展相关工作的启示和建议,为后续空间站载荷开展上站认证、确保载荷在轨安全及空间站平台安全提供参考。     

Engineering test beds on the International Space Station

The International Space Station is a unique multi-faceted orbiting laboratory supporting research, development, test and evaluation of new innovative space and Earth-based applications. While NASA sponsored investigations on the ISS are focused largely on enabling future long duration human space exploration missions, Congress designated the US portion of the space station as a National Laboratory making its facilities available to other Federal agencies and private entities for non-exploration related ventures. RDT&E activities on the ISS encompass a number of technical areas including environmental control and life support, communications, materials science, guidance, navigation and control, propulsion, electrical power, and thermal control systems.     

空间站维修性系统设计与验证方法研究

空间站在轨运行时间长,因此需采用维修性设计和在轨维修的方法实现长寿命高可靠在轨运行。根据维修性设计理论,结合工程实际,提出了基于产品特性分析的维修需求分析方法和维修支持下的可靠度计算方法。明确了系统维修性设计应包括布局、供电、信息、故障检测、维修工作模式等设计内容。并根据维修难度,提出了四级维修策略。最后根据在轨维修特点,提出了地面试验验证和仿真验证的方法。为空间站系统维修性设计提供了一个技术途径。