Issues and status of power distribution options for space explorationThe Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) will need a wide variety of manned systems with requirements significantly different than those for existing systems. The concept of a space power utility is discussed and the impact of this concept on the engineering of space power systems is examined. Almost all existing space power systems use low voltage direct current. Although they have been very succesful, increasing power system requirements in recent years have exposed their inherent limitations and led to the proposal of a number of alternatives including high voltage DC and AC at various frequencies. Drawing on the experience gained from Space Station Freedom and SEI systems studies, factors that may affect the choice of frequency standards on which to build such a space power utility are discussed.
Document ID
19920003989
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Bercaw, Robert W. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Cull, Ronald C. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Kenny, Barbara H. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: ESA, European Space Power Conference. Volume 1: Power Systems, Power Electronics, Batteries and Fuel Cells