Solid State Thermionic Power, Year 3
Project Description
The project will explore the implementation of high efficiency Solid-State Thermionic-based power systems to serve Electric Propulsion systems such as Hall, Ion, or other approaches. A Solid-State approach centered around advanced Thermionic power converters would combine the high efficiency of dynamic power conversion (e.g. Rankine, Brayton, Stirling) with the simplicity of a static converter with no moving parts. The resulting system could enable Human Mars missions of < 1 year round trip by affording a system of megawatt power, low specific mass (<10 kg/kWe), greatly reduced plant complexity, and associated savings in development cost. FY16 activities will build and test a Brassboard thermionic converter assembly.
More »Anticipated Benefits
This project provides the initial foundation and confidence for high efficiency solid-state power converters. Subsequent converter development, advanced through STMD Game Changing and/or Power Utility partnerships, will improve readiness and lifetime, leading to flight ready articles. Human vehicle system development would then integrate these converters with DOE nuclear reactor technology, NASA balance of plant (ex. radiators, PMAD), and electric propulsion (ex. Hall thrusters, Ion, etc.) to develop an ultimate NASA application of a Human Mars Megawatt-class Solar or Nuclear Electric Propulsion vehicle and mission. Terrestrial applications would be informed/infused resulting in very high efficiency (>50%) combined cycle fossil fuel plants, less complex nuclear plants, and possible energy harvesting/scavenging. A Gamechanger new-start may be desireable in FY17.
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Johnson Space Center
(JSC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Houston, Texas |
| Air Force Reserve Command | Supporting Organization | Other US Government | Robins AFB, Georgia |
| Arizona State University-Tempe (ASU) | Supporting Organization | Academia | Tempe, Arizona |
| Department of Energy (DoE) | Supporting Organization | Other US Government | Washington, District of Columbia |
| Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) | Supporting Organization | FFRDC/UARC | Pasadena, California |
Marshall Space Flight Center
(MSFC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Huntsville, Alabama |
| University of British Columbia | Supporting Organization | Academia | Vancouver, Outside the United States, Canada |
| University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame) | Supporting Organization | Academia | Notre Dame, Indiana |
| Co-Funding Partners | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) | NASA Program |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Texas
