Advanced Power Technology Development Activities for Small Satellite Applications
Session
Session 6: Subsystems
Abstract
NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has a long history related to the development of advanced power technology for space applications. This expertise covers the breadth of energy generation (photovoltaics, thermal energy conversion, etc.), energy storage (batteries, fuel cell technology, etc.), power management and distribution, and power systems architecture and analysis. Such advanced technology is now being developed for small satellite and cubesat applications and could have a significant impact on the longevity and capabilities of these missions. This presentation will focus on various advanced power technologies being developed and demonstrated by NASA, and their possible application within the small satellite community. Under the 2016 Small Spacecraft Technology Program Smallsat Technology Partnerships Appendix research announcement, NASA selected various University Partnership proposals where academic institutions work in collaboration with NASA Centers to develop advanced technology specifically designed for small satellite applications. Two proposals were selected in the area of advanced power technology. NASA GRC and NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) are working with Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and the University of Miami to develop advanced photovoltaic and energy storage technology. The RIT effort, titled “Demonstration of a Nano-Enabled Space Power System,” utilizes nanomaterial‐enhanced power system components (quantum dot/quantum well solar cells; carbon nanotube (CNT) wire harnesses; CNT‐enhanced lithium‐ion batteries; CNT thermoelectric energy harvesting) to demonstrate the ability of nanomaterial enhanced components to reduce the mass of power system components without sacrificing power availability or performance. To date, RIT has successfully synthesized single-wall carbon nanotube material, integrated these materials in prototype power system components, and tested their performance. The University of Miami work, “Development of a Lightweight CubeSat with Multifunctional Structural Battery Systems,” focuses on the development and fabrication of panels for a lightweight 1U CubeSat (10x10x10 cm.) enhanced with integrated structural battery materials. Overall system performance gains are expected at the satellite level, with improvements to the structural battery components via advancements in materials and structural designs. This approach seeks to strike the optimal multi-functional balance for an overall system benefit at the satellite level. In addition to this work, the development of mediator-enhanced solid state hybrid supercapacitor energy systems is also being investigated. This presentation will provide an overall summary of both in-house and contract/grant activities related to advanced power system technology development at NASA Glenn with direct application to small satellites. The results of recent work at the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Miami on very novel approaches to power system components will be discussed in detail.
Presentation
Advanced Power Technology Development Activities for Small Satellite Applications
NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has a long history related to the development of advanced power technology for space applications. This expertise covers the breadth of energy generation (photovoltaics, thermal energy conversion, etc.), energy storage (batteries, fuel cell technology, etc.), power management and distribution, and power systems architecture and analysis. Such advanced technology is now being developed for small satellite and cubesat applications and could have a significant impact on the longevity and capabilities of these missions. This presentation will focus on various advanced power technologies being developed and demonstrated by NASA, and their possible application within the small satellite community. Under the 2016 Small Spacecraft Technology Program Smallsat Technology Partnerships Appendix research announcement, NASA selected various University Partnership proposals where academic institutions work in collaboration with NASA Centers to develop advanced technology specifically designed for small satellite applications. Two proposals were selected in the area of advanced power technology. NASA GRC and NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) are working with Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and the University of Miami to develop advanced photovoltaic and energy storage technology. The RIT effort, titled “Demonstration of a Nano-Enabled Space Power System,” utilizes nanomaterial‐enhanced power system components (quantum dot/quantum well solar cells; carbon nanotube (CNT) wire harnesses; CNT‐enhanced lithium‐ion batteries; CNT thermoelectric energy harvesting) to demonstrate the ability of nanomaterial enhanced components to reduce the mass of power system components without sacrificing power availability or performance. To date, RIT has successfully synthesized single-wall carbon nanotube material, integrated these materials in prototype power system components, and tested their performance. The University of Miami work, “Development of a Lightweight CubeSat with Multifunctional Structural Battery Systems,” focuses on the development and fabrication of panels for a lightweight 1U CubeSat (10x10x10 cm.) enhanced with integrated structural battery materials. Overall system performance gains are expected at the satellite level, with improvements to the structural battery components via advancements in materials and structural designs. This approach seeks to strike the optimal multi-functional balance for an overall system benefit at the satellite level. In addition to this work, the development of mediator-enhanced solid state hybrid supercapacitor energy systems is also being investigated. This presentation will provide an overall summary of both in-house and contract/grant activities related to advanced power system technology development at NASA Glenn with direct application to small satellites. The results of recent work at the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Miami on very novel approaches to power system components will be discussed in detail.
