Power systems for MEMS robots/devices used for space applications
- Paper number
IAC-05-C3.P.02
- Author
Mr. Erik Clacey, Swedish Space Corporation, Sweden
- Year
2005
- Abstract
Recent technological advances have introduced micro electrical mechanical systems, MEMS, as well as devices, robots and satellites built on the micro and nano scale. Introducing these devices in space, especially for stand alone, autonomous devices, such as micro scale swarm robots exploring a planetary surface, will require them to have their own reliable powers supply with them or a system for attaining the energy from the environment. Current chemical batteries are much too large to be of use and classical chemical batteries become limited when miniaturized, so an alternative needs to be found. Thus there is a need for a high power density and extremely small power generator. In space high power density systems have been used for half a century to supply both electrical and thermal power to rockets, Earth orbiting satellites, Lunar and Mars missions and all outer solar system missions. The power system is based on nuclear power. These power systems, such as the radioisotope thermoelectric generator, RTG, and derivatives of it, are currently relatively large and bulky but work is being done in reducing their size. However, the question this paper tries to answer is how can some of the techniques learnt in nuclear space power supply systems, such as the RTG, be applied and miniaturized to the required scale as well as the performance of such a system. It will also assess any other contenders for powering MEMS robots/devices. The feasibility will depend upon such factors as power output vs. power required and public acceptance. The power output will depend on the amount of available nuclear material and the efficiency of electricity generating subsystem. Public acceptance of the use of nuclear material will probably remain low in the near future, especially considering the easy distribution of micro nuclear devices, however if they are only used far from Earth their usage may be temporarily accepted. The paper will conclude with the new frontiers and applications that can be realised for automated, self powered, miniature devices with special regards to cost effective and high scientific return planetary, lunar and other space missions.
- Abstract document