Design and Development of the ESA Am-Fueled Radioisotope Power Systems

Barco, Alessandra; Ambrosi, Richard M.; Williams, Hannah; Crawford, Tony; Mesalam, Ramy; Bicknell, Christopher; Watkinson, E. Jane; Stephenson, Keith; Godfrey, Alexander; Stroud, C. W.; Perkinson, M. C.; Burgess, Chris

doi:10.1109/aero.2019.8741786

Cited by 6 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The Advanced Stirling Radioisotopic Generator (ASRG), based on Stirling power conversion technology, offers a fourfold reduction in the amount of plutonium fuel compared to radioisotope thermal generators (RTG) used in previous interplanetary missions [155]; while NASA has ended funding for in-flight development of ASRG technology in 2013 due to budget cuts, research continues on this technology and other radioisotope power systems in NASA [120]. Additionally, the development of radioisotopic power using Americium ( 241 Am) currently being developed by ESA since 2008 is another possible option [4].…”

Section: Option 1: Titan Sea Landermentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploration of Enceladus and Titan: investigating ocean worlds’ evolution and habitability in the Saturn system

et al. 2021

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We present a White Paper with a science theme concept of ocean world evolution and habitability proposed in response to ESA’s Voyage 2050 Call with a focus on Titan and Enceladus in the Saturn system. Ocean worlds in the outer Solar System that possess subsurface liquid water oceans are considered to be prime targets for extra-terrestrial life and offer windows into Solar System evolution and habitability. The Cassini-Huygens mission to the Saturn system (2004–2017) revealed Titan with its organic-rich evolving world with terrestrial features and Enceladus with its active aqueous environment to be ideal candidates to investigate ocean world evolution and habitability. Additionally, this White Paper presents a baseline for a multiple flyby mission with a focused payload as an example of how ocean world evolution and habitability in the Saturn system could be investigated building on the heritage of the Cassini-Huygens mission and complementing the recently selected NASA Dragonfly mission.

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Section: Option 1: Titan Sea Landermentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploration of Enceladus and Titan: investigating ocean worlds’ evolution and habitability in the Saturn system

et al. 2021

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“…Thermal and mechanical modelling of the heat sources has been carried out by Barco et al (2019b). The performance of the aeroshell materials under Earth re-entry accident conditions has been simulated and are summarised below.…”

Section: Carbon-carbon Composite Aeroshellmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The system was also designed to be operated under argon cover gas. Mechanical design and thermal models were used to understand the performance of the system and these are reported by Barco et al (2018aBarco et al ( , 2019b. The design of the heat source is such that top, bottom and large sides of the six-sided structure are insulated by using a multilayer gold-plated rigid structure with very low emissivity that is specifically designed for this system.…”

Section: Evolution In Rtg Architecture: 2nd Generation Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tests included bench testing and testing in a representative space environment simulator at Leicester. In addition, laser Doppler vibrometry testing (Barco et al 2018a(Barco et al , 2018b(Barco et al , 2019b, using specialised facilities at the University of Leicester, enabled the team to verify the mechanical models produced for the system without resorting to destructive conventional vibration tests. This RTG system incorporated six thermoelectric modules supported by the fins of the radiator.…”

Section: Building the Elegant Breadboard Of The 10 W Electric Rtgmentioning

confidence: 99%

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European Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) and Radioisotope Heater Units (RHUs) for Space Science and Exploration

et al. 2019

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“…137 4. 31 Relative increase in % in volume between the hybrid energy storage system with respect to the traditional one as function of the mean eclipse power, 𝑃 𝑒 , and peak power, 𝑃 peak . First row (i.e., (a) (b) and (c)), second row (i.e., (d) (e) and (f)) and third row (i.e., (g) (h) and (i)) correspond to 1, 5 and 15 number of pulses, 𝑛 𝑐 .…”

Section: 16mentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis and simulation of electric power systems for aerospace Applications

Marín Coca

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The Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS) plays a critical role in satellite design, providing the required electrical energy to operate all on-board systems. Their reliability and efficiency are essential for the success of a space mission, as any failure in this system can have catastrophic consequences. Consequently, a detailed and accurate design of the power subsystem is essential, taking into account several scenarios and contingencies that may arise during the mission. To achieve a reliable and efficient design, accurate models of the main components are required. These models facilitate both preliminary designs and complex simulations, allowing a comprehensive assessment of the performance of the power subsystem under different operational conditions. Within this context, this research proposes novel models and methods to improve the accuracy and reliability of the design of the power subsystem, with a specific focus on secondary energy sources.The first contribution presents a new methodology for conducting preliminary designs of electrical power subsystems in satellites, considering different architectures, variable efficiencies, and the utilization of batteries during both eclipse and daylight periods. The second contribution encompasses new models for Li-ion batteries. On the one hand, analytical solutions for a linear model of Li-ion batteries are developed. These solutions offer a straightforward and user-friendly approach to estimate battery performances under several conditions. This feature makes analytical solutions an indispensable tool for preliminary designs and for advanced simulations in which the batteries Depth of Discharge (DoD) is limited to increase their life-cycle. On the other hand, a new model for the open circuit voltage of Li-ion batteries is proposed. This contribution enables a more precise representation of the Li-ion batteries' static charging/discharging behavior for high DoD applications.

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Design and Development of the ESA Am-Fueled Radioisotope Power Systems

Cited by 6 publications

References 5 publications

Exploration of Enceladus and Titan: investigating ocean worlds’ evolution and habitability in the Saturn system

Exploration of Enceladus and Titan: investigating ocean worlds’ evolution and habitability in the Saturn system

European Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) and Radioisotope Heater Units (RHUs) for Space Science and Exploration

Analysis and simulation of electric power systems for aerospace Applications

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