500 Watt Solar AMTEC Power System for Small Spacecraft.

Abstract

The two main objectives of this project were to complete the first conceptual design of an innovative, low cost, reliable, low mass, long life 500 watt Solar Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (SAMTEC) power system for small spacecraft, and predict the performance of the SAMTEC space system. The proposed concept uses an innovative, high voltage Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) cell, called the multi-tube cell, integrated with an individual Thermal Energy Storage (TES) unit. The multi-tube AMTEC cell provides a low cost, reliable, long life static converter for space systems. The SAMTEC system could use batteries for energy storage but the TES unit eliminates the thermal fluctuations associated with operation in Low Earth Orbit and offers a low cost reliable energy storage system. The chosen TES material is the LiF-22%CaF(2) currently being developed at NASA Lewis Research Center for the Solar Dynamic Ground Test Demonstration Program.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADB215544

Entities

People

  • Joseph F. Ivanenok Iii
  • Robert K. Sievers

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Carbon Carbon Composites
  • Commerce
  • Composite Materials
  • Earth Orbits
  • Energy
  • Energy Storage
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials Processing
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Energy
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

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