ELECTRIC POWER FOR SPACE FLIGHT,

Abstract

Scientific satellites require electrical energy to operate a variety of instruments but probably not over something like 100 watts. For trips to the planets, electrical power will likely also be utilized in a thrust system. Examples include ionic propulsion, electrical arc heating of a gas, etc. These will require megawatts of power, particularly for high specific impulse systems. In addition each human occupant may require several kilowatts of electrical energy. For the satellite case power supplies of limited life may be satisfactory; for manned space flight only solar or nuclear sources can be considered. This paper outlines several possibilities, their present limitations and future potential. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 10, 1957
Accession Number
AD0606611

Entities

People

  • J. H. Huth

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Arc Heating
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Electric Power
  • Energy
  • Flight
  • Heating
  • Power
  • Power Supplies
  • Scientific Satellites
  • Space Flight
  • Specific Impulse
  • Thrust

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites