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POWER GENERATING SYSTEMS FOR MANNED SPACE VEHICLES
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English
Abstract
The late 1950's saw the space age come into being. Power requirements for the terrestrial satellites were of the order of only a few hundred watts. The beginnings of development toward the manned satellite and space vehicle dictate the requirement for power levels well in excess of current vehicle missions. What are the sources of power at these increased levels? The best solution in sight for meeting the power requirements for manned space vehicles are nuclear and solar energy sources in combination with rotating conversion equipment.
In this paper several types of space power generating systems are discussed including solar-mechanical rotating, solar-direct conversion, nuclear mechanical rotating, and regenerative fuel cells. Evaluation of their general characteristics, and indication of their practical limitations is outlined.
The concepts involved in the choice of equipments for rotating conversion machinery are outlined. Some of the materials of construction and possible choices of working fluids for the conversion equipment are discussed. A hypothetical power generating system and the criteria employed in the design of the system are described.
Citation
DUNN, W., "POWER GENERATING SYSTEMS FOR MANNED SPACE VEHICLES," SAE Technical Paper 600387, 1960, https://doi.org/10.4271/600387.Also In
References
- Basic Energy Conversion in Space Vehicles ARS Paper 16-20 Fisher J. H. Stephens C. W. November 1959
- Liquid Metal Handbook, Sodium-NAK Supplement TID 5277, Atomic Energy Commission 1 July 1955
- Properties of Inorganic Working Fluids and Coolants for Space Applications WADC Technical Report 59-598 December 1959
- Research and Development of a Solar Thermoelectric Direct-Conversion Power-Generation Systems Aerojet-General Corporation Proposal AR-90011 to WADC May 1959
- Silicon Photovoltaic Cells for Space Vehicles Nash N. Luft W. 1959 Electronic Components Conference
- Space Power Supply Systems Document No. AERL-05487 Fairweather S. H. 7 8 October 1959
- Systems Using Solar Energy For Auxiliary Space Vehicle Power IAS Report No. 59-40, presented IAS 27th Annual Meeting Von Deonhoff A. E. Hallissy J. M. Jr. New York, N. Y. 26 29 January 1959