Study Results on a Solar Electric Power System for High Power Electric Propulsion (HiPER) Applications

Paper number

IAC-11,D2,4,7,x10346

Author

Mr. Emanuele Ferrando, Selex Galileo, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Luciano Croci, Selex Galileo, Italy

Coauthor

Mrs. Giulia Damonte, Altran S.p.A., Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Davide Hazan, Selex Galileo, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Stefano Riva, Selex Galileo, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Romano Romani, Galileo Avionica S.p.A., Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Cosmo Casaregola, Alta S.p.A., Italy

Coauthor

Prof. Agelo Brambilla, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Coauthor

Prof. Giancarlo Storti Gajani, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Giambattista Gruosso, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Luciano Battocchio, Aero Sekur, Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Marc Steiner, Fraunhofer INT, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Riccardo Casati, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Ausonio Tuissi, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Italy

Coauthor

Prof. Mario Chiarelli, University of Pisa, Italy

Year

2011

Abstract

The aim of this study is, on top of the investigation of an overall PMAD system capable to fulfil the requirements of both solar and nuclear energy sources, to define a solar based power system able to feed high power electric thrusters. This kind of propulsion system could play a very important role in future space exploration programmes by enabling more affordable and sustainable space-to-space missions. HiPER is a project partly funded by the EU aimed at laying the technical and programmatic foundations for the development of technologies to fulfil these future needs. The abstract presents results of the development and prototyping of solar generation technologies and gives indications on the optimal PMAD architectures.
The power demand of next generation spacecraft will overcome the limits of existing state of the art solar generation systems. Today the multi panel deployable solar array is the most common system utilized for medium and high power applications. Its ability to provide accommodation for power growth (up to tens of kW), high reliability, competitive weight and low cost, lead to world wide success but we need something more. Light concentration techniques, thin solar cells and light/flexible substrates are going towards this direction. Starting from our previous experience in lightweight photovoltaic systems, we all initiated the development activities. The main topics addressed in this study are: light concentration (up to 10 times the nominal flux) system design, inflatable substrate and flexible electrical network structural design, prototyping and verification;
The solar cell trades started from the very latest achievements in crystalline solar cells. Based on that, a component suitable for light concentration has been identified. This component has been integrated on top of a flexible structure in combination with the concentrating lenses and with an innovative “smart” deployment mechanics based, also, on Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) performances.
The PMAD is a critical aspect of the whole system design which can undermine all the other technical advances. A direct drive approach is the most suitable solution and an architecture based on solar DC voltage level of about 300V and a current level of about 800 A has been extensively simulated. Of course there are risks associated with the operation at high current and voltage and this are mainly related to coronal discharge effects. The scope of the present study is to define generic mitigation strategy for making a more precise assessment for the total system mass estimate.

Abstract document

IAC-11,D2,4,7,x10346.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-11,D2,4,7,x10346.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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