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Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems Status and Path to FlightDynamic power conversion offers the potential to produce Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) that generate higher power outputs and utilize the Pu-238 radioisotope more efficiently. Additionally, dynamic power conversion offers the potential of producing generators with minimal degradation resulting in more power at the end of the mission, when the power is needed. Dynamic power conversion technologies being developed for space applications include the Stirling and Brayton thermodynamic cycle machines. Machines can be built based on these cycles while eliminating wear mechanisms of the moving components, enabling long design life necessary for space missions. The Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems (DRPS) project at NASA Glenn Research Center (Glenn Research Center) is pursuing the realization of this type of power source on a flight mission. The project currently has three convertor development contracts that will deliver prototype hardware in 2020. This hardware will undergo a gamut of experimental performance verification efforts at NASA GRC. In parallel, the project has also initiated generator design efforts based on these underlying convertor options, and is also on track to build an in-house version of a generator for laboratory system-level testing. The project is also funding control electronics technology, which are necessary to convert alternating current from the dynamic devices to direct current for use by a spacecraft. A lunar mission is being targeted as the first use of this new technology, as DRPS enables a wide range of high-return scientific missions on the moon, while the mission being short in duration (2 years rather than 10 years for an outer planets mission).
Document ID
20205008166
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Salvatore Oriti
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Date Acquired
September 29, 2020
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Aircraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: Advanced Power Systems for Deep Space Exploration
Location: Virtual
Country: US
Start Date: October 27, 2020
End Date: October 29, 2020
Sponsors: Jet Propulsion Lab
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 138494.04.19.01.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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