Comparison of Long-Duration Secondary-Power Schemes for Space Vehicles.

摘要

The status and limitations of seven basic schemes for converting solar or nuclear radiation to electricity are reviewed. The closed-heat engine cycle employing a hermetically sealed turbo-alternator is selected as the scheme offering the earliest availability for space power applications requiring above a few kilowatts of electrical power. Development problems of the small turbomachinery cycle are emphasized. The conclusion is made that development of the long-duration space power supply may be logging behind vehicle launch capability.