POWER GENERATION IN SPACE

TOMAS HAMANN
MATTHIAS ROCHTUS

TYPES OF POWER GENERATION

Electrical energy
Photovoltaic cells
Nuclear energy
Batteries/fuel cells
Kinetic energy
Solar sail
Gravity assist

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

BANDGAP
Semiconductors (Si, GeAr, InP)

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

SOLAR FLUX ENERGY

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

MECHANICAL PARTS
Failure to deploy solar panels
SOYUZ TMA - 17M - 2014
BEAGLE 2
- 2003

Mechanical orientation control

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
Advantages

Disadvantages

Light weight

Operation distance from sun

Relatively simple

Usually requires battery

Cheap

Radiation degradation

No fuel

Limited power output

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Introduction

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

Plutonium-238 and Americium-241 properties

Property
Half life (years)
Thermal power (W/kg)
Price ($/g)
Radiation type

Plutonium-238

Americium-241

88

432

391

115

1500

Alpha

Gamma

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

Thermocouples
The Seebeck effect: Thermal gradient between
materials causes current.

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Properties

Advantages

Disadvantages

Long lasting

Extremely expensive

Lightweight

Can not be controlled

Compact

Safety & regulations

No moving components

Political issues

Relatively simple

Radioactive shielding is needed

Reliable & resistant

Provide heat

Provide heat

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

Applications

European approach to nuclear power in space

Europe is likely to need nuclear power sources as
essential elements for its planned space missions
Europe is currently fully dependent on its partners
for their supply and launch
Activities involving nuclear power sources for space
involve stake-holders outside the traditional space
sector

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

Current developments in Europe

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Establishing European safety framework

Produce a space nuclear power roadmap
Start research programmes and studies
Establish European safety standards
Establish a communication strategy and policy for
engaging the public
6. Establish infrastructure to support nuclear power
systems
7. Consider reactors and nuclear propulsion systems
as a long-term objective.

Power generation Applicability Photovoltaic cells - Nuclear

Sources:
1. CONSIDERATIONS ON SAFETY AND EUROPEAN OPTIONS
REGARDING NUCLEAR POWER SOURCES FOR SPACE, L
Summerer, ESA
2. Radioisotope Power: A Key Technology for Deep Space Exploration,
G R Schmidt, NASA, 2011
3. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/images/index.ht
ml, November 2015
4. http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/F-can-americium-replaceplutonium-in-space-missions28071401.html, November 2015
5. Solar radiation in space,
http://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/properties-of-sunlight/
6. Bepicolombo space mission to Mercury,
http://sci.esa.int/bepicolombo/
7. Bandgap effect, http://news.mit.edu/2010/explained-bandgap-0723
8. Solar panels in space applications,
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?
doi=10.1.1.118.6339&rep=rep1&type=pdf