Space Power Systems Engineering (PDF)

Space Power Systems Engineering is a collection of papers dealing with the requirements for space power systems, system design, component research, the problems of application to spacecraft, and the development of a variety of space electric power systems. Some papers discuss nuclear power systems development, including nuclear reactors, nuclear dynamic systems, nuclear thermoelectric systems, and nuclear thermionic systems. Several papers tackle solar systems development, including solar collectors, solar dynamic systems, solar thermoelectric systems, chemical fuel cell systems, and chemical primary battery systems. A magnetohydrodynamic power system can be utilized for space electric generation. Power conversion or conditioning involves the interface between raw electric power and the on-board consumption of that electric power. One paper cites an application of a potential power system: particularly the engine development in a power package which includes a single-cylinder engine, generator, gas compressor, and recuperator. Some design considerations for the engine include an operation with an 0-H mixture of 2 to 1 obtained either from supercritical tankage or in the form of helium-diluted boil-off gases; a power level of 2-kw average, 3-kw maximum; and an uninterrupted life of 350 hr. The collection can prove immensely beneficial for nuclear engineers, aeronautical engineers, chemists, researchers, or technical designers whose works are related with energy conversion and space power systems.