NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports - The University ...

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SPACECRAFT PROPULSION AND POWER
Includes main propulsion systems and components, e.g., rocket engines; and spacecraft auxiliary power sources. For related
information see also 07 Aircraft Propulsion and Power, 28 Propellants and Fuels, 15 Launch Vehicles and Launch Operations, and
44 Energy Production and Conversion.
20100017257 NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
Solar Energy Systems for Lunar Oxygen Generation
Colozza, Anthony J.; Heller, Richard S.; Wong, Wayne A.; Hepp, Aloysius F.; April 2010; 27 pp.; In English; 48th Aerospace
Sciences Meeting, 4-7 Jan. 2010, Orlando, FL, USA; Original contains color illustrations
Contract(s)/Grant(s): 387498.01.04.02.05.03
Report No.(s): NASA/TM-2010-216219; AIAA Paper 2010-1166; E-17201; Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A03, Hardcopy
ONLINE: http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20100017257
An evaluation of several solar concentrator-based systems for producing oxygen from lunar regolith was performed. The
systems utilize a solar concentrator mirror to provide thermal energy for the oxygen production process. Thermal energy to
power a Stirling heat engine and photovoltaics are compared for the production of electricity. The electricity produced is
utilized to operate the equipment needed in the oxygen production process. The initial oxygen production method utilized in
the analysis is hydrogen reduction of ilmenite. Utilizing this method of oxygen production a baseline system design was
produced. This baseline system had an oxygen production rate of 0.6 kg/hr with a concentrator mirror size of 5 m. Variations
were performed on the baseline design to show how changes in the system size and process (rate) affected the oxygen
production rate. An evaluation of the power requirements for a carbothermal lunar regolith reduction reactor has also been
conducted. The reactor had a total power requirement between 8,320 to 9,961 W when producing 1000 kg/year of oxygen.
The solar concentrator used to provide the thermal power (over 82 percent of the total energy requirement) would have a
diameter of less than 4 m.
Author
Stirling Engines; Solar Collectors; Oxygen Production; Photovoltaic Conversion; Regolith; Lunar Rocks; Concentrators;
Thermal Energy; Solar Energy
20100017258 Sest, Inc., Middleburgh Heights, OH, USA
Advanced Stirling Convertor Dynamic Test Approach and Results
Meer, David W.; Hill, Dennis; Ursic, Joseph J.; March 2010; 17 pp.; In English; Seventh International Energy Conversion
Engineering Conference (IECEC), 2-5 Aug. 2009, Denver, CO, USA; Original contains color illustrations
Contract(s)/Grant(s): NNC09JF24T; WBS 138494.04.01.01
Report No.(s): NASA/CR-2010-216237; AIAA Paper 2009-4552; E-17224; Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A03, Hardcopy
ONLINE: http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20100017258
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Lockheed Martin Corporation (LM), and NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC)
have been developing the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) for use as a power system for space science
missions. As part of the extended operation testing of this power system, the Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASC) at NASA
GRC undergo a vibration test sequence intended to simulate the vibration history that an ASC would experience when used
in an ASRG for a space mission. This sequence includes testing at workmanship and flight acceptance levels interspersed with
periods of extended operation to simulate prefueling and post fueling. The final step in the test sequence utilizes additional
testing at flight acceptance levels to simulate launch. To better replicate the acceleration profile seen by an ASC incorporated
into an ASRG, the input spectra used in testing the convertors was modified based on dynamic testing of the ASRG
Engineering Unit (ASRG EU) at LM. This paper outlines the overall test approach, summarizes the test results from the ASRG
EU, describes the incorporation of those results into the test approach, and presents the results of applying the test approach
to the ASC-1 #3 and #4 convertors. The test results include data from several accelerometers mounted on the convertors as
well as the piston position and output power variables.
Author
Stirling Cycle; Dynamic Tests; Accelerometers; Flight Tests; Vibration Tests; Refueling; Quality Control
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