New Technology and Lunar Power Option for Power Beaming Propulsion

New Technology and Lunar Power Option for Power Beaming Propulsion
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2004
Genre: Electric power transmission
ISBN:

Orbit raising missions (LEO to GEO or beyond) are the only missions with enough current traffic to be seriously considered for near-term power beaming propulsion. Even these missions cannot justify the development expenditures required to deploy the required new laser, optical and propulsion technologies or the programmatic risks. To be deployed, the laser and optics technologies must be spin-offs of other funded programs. The manned lunar base nighttime power requirements may justify a major power beaming program with 2MW lasers and large optical systems. New gas laser and space optics technologies may now make this mission plausible. If deployed these systems could be diverted for power beaming propulsion applications. The completion of a power beaming project will provide the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with an important option for providing a power rich environment for future surface explorations on the moon and Mars.

New Technology and Lunar Power Option for Power Beaming Propulsion

New Technology and Lunar Power Option for Power Beaming Propulsion
Author: Jordan Kare
Publisher:
Total Pages: 14
Release: 2004
Genre: Electric power transmission
ISBN:

Orbit raising missions (LEO to GEO or beyond) are the only missions with enough current traffic to be seriously considered for near-term power beaming propulsion. Even these missions cannot justify the development expenditures required to deploy the required new laser, optical and propulsion technologies or the programmatic risks. To be deployed, the laser and optics technologies must be spin-offs of other funded programs. The manned lunar base nighttime power requirements may justify a major power beaming program with 2MW lasers and large optical systems. New gas laser and space optics technologies may now make this mission plausible. If deployed these systems could be diverted for power beaming propulsion applications. The completion of a power beaming project will provide the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with an important option for providing a power rich environment for future surface explorations on the moon and Mars.

Beamed Energy Propulsion

Beamed Energy Propulsion
Author: Andrew V. Pakhomov
Publisher: American Institute of Physics
Total Pages: 640
Release: 2005-05-23
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780735402515

This book contains nearly a complete collection of papers presented at the Third International Symposium on Beamed Energy Propulsion. It will provide an inspirational reading to researchers in the field of advanced propulsion, students and faculty in physics and engineering departments, as well as a general audience concerned with the future exploration of space. Topics include: Systems and Missions; Lightcraft Dynamics; Microwave Beamed-Energy Propulsion; Lasers for Propulsion; Ablative Laser Propulsion and Related Techniques; Airspikes; New Vehicle Concepts; Fundamental Issues.

Power Beaming

Power Beaming
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 7
Release: 1992
Genre:
ISBN:

This paper explores several beam power concepts proposed for powering either lunar base or rover vehicles. At present, power requirements to support lunar exploration activity are met by integral self-contained power system designs. To provide requisite energy flexibility for human expansion into space, an innovative approach to replace on-board self-contained power systems is needed. Power beaming provides an alternative approach to supplying power that would ensure increased mission flexibility while reducing total mass launched into space. Providing power to the moon presents significant design challenges because of the duration of the lunar night. Power beaming provides an alternative to solar photovoltaic systems coupled with battery storage, radioisotope thermoelectric generation, and surface nuclear power. The Synthesis Group describes power beaming as a technology supporting lunar exploration. In this analysis beam power designs are compared to conventional power generation methods.

An Analysis of Power Beaming for the Moon and Mars

An Analysis of Power Beaming for the Moon and Mars
Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 26
Release: 2018-08-10
Genre:
ISBN: 9781725082984

Operations on the surface of the Moon and Mars will depend on a reliable source of electrical power. At NASA Lewis Research Center, the feasibility of powering lunar and Martian surface sites by power beaming was studied. Constellations of nuclear or solar powered satellites using microwave or laser transmitters were designed to power an equatorial surface base. Additional surface assets, such as rovers, can also be powered from the same orbiting satellites, requiring only the additional mass of a receiver. However, the actual mass and power capabilities of the system are dependent on the location of the surface receiver. The masses of the beam power systems can be reduced by up to 50 percent, by using the power source of an electric propulsion vehicle to power the beam system. The important analyses results and any additional issues that remain unresolved are discussed. Stavnes, Mark W. Unspecified Center NASA-CR-191072, E-7581, NAS 1.26:191072 NAS3-25266; RTOP 506-41-41...

A Power Beaming Based Infrastructure for Space Power

A Power Beaming Based Infrastructure for Space Power
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 7
Release: 1991
Genre:
ISBN:

At present all space mission power requirements are met by integral, on-board, self-contained power systems. To provide needed flexibility for space exploration and colonization, an additional approach to on-board, self-contained power systems is needed. Power beaming, an alternative approach to providing power, has the potential to provide increased mission flexibility while reducing total mass launched into space. Laser-power beaming technology provides a viable power and communication infrastructure that can be developed sequentially as it is applied to power satellite constellations in Earth orbit and to orbital transport vehicles transferring satellites and cargos to geosynchronous orbit and beyond. Coupled with nuclear electric propulsion systems for cargo transport, the technology can be used to provide global power to the Lunar surface and to Mars' surface and moons. The technology can be developed sequentially as advances in power system and propulsion system technology occur. This paper presents stepwise development of an infrastructure based on power beaming that can support the space development and exploration goals of the Space Exploration Initiative. Power scenarios based on commonality of power systems hardware with cargo transport vehicles are described. Advantages of this infrastructure are described. 12 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

Lunar Surface-To-Surface Power Transfer

Lunar Surface-To-Surface Power Transfer
Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 38
Release: 2018-05-20
Genre:
ISBN: 9781719372992

A human lunar outpost, under NASA study for construction in the 2020's, has potential requirements to transfer electric power up to 50-kW across the lunar surface from 0.1 to 10-km distances. This power would be used to operate surface payloads located remotely from the outpost and/or outpost primary power grid. This paper describes concept designs for state-of-the-art technology power transfer subsystems including AC or DC power via cables, beamed radio frequency power and beamed laser power. Power transfer subsystem mass and performance are calculated and compared for each option. A simplified qualitative assessment of option operations, hazards, costs and technology needs is also described. Based on these concept designs and performance analyses, a DC power cabling subsystem is recommended to minimize subsystem mass and to minimize mission and programmatic costs and risks. Avenues for additional power transfer subsystem studies are recommended. Kerslake, Thomas W. Glenn Research Center LUNAR BASES; DIRECT CURRENT; ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION; TRANSMISSION LINES; ELECTRICITY; ALTERNATING CURRENT; LASER POWER BEAMING; LUNAR SURFACE