Microfuel Cells for Small Satellite Applications
- Paper number
IAC-07-B4.6.06
- Author
Mr. Petrus Hyvönen, Angstrom Aerospace Corporation (AAC), Sweden
- Coauthor
Mrs. Theres Gustafsson, Angstrom Aerospace Corporation (AAC), Sweden
- Coauthor
Prof. Lars Stenmark, Angstrom Aerospace Corporation (AAC), Sweden
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Fuel cells have previously been used in manned space missions, generating onboard power for both crew and vehicle. These fuel cells have traditionally been large, unsuitable for smaller systems. With the advent of microsystems, current research investigates small fuel cells competitiveness with state-of-the-art battery systems for mobile consumer devices. The advantage of refueling is very limited for microsatellite applications but other system designs related to long-time energy storage and recreation of fuel using solar energy can give attractive system performance in terms of power and energy storage capacity. Ångström Aerospace Corporation is investigating the possiblity of integrating microfuel cells as energy storage for micro and nano satellites as well as micro-unmanned aeronautical vehicles. A preliminary system design based on hydrogen and oxygen as energy storage, is presented together with system concepts of a closed-loop system for recreation of energy supplies. Furthermore, future applications and system properties for nano- and microsatellites are discussed.
- Abstract document