GLTRS--Glenn
TITLE AND SUBTITLE:
NASA Radioisotope Power Conversion Technology NRA Overview

AUTHOR(S):
David J. Anderson

REPORT DATE:
November 2005

FUNDING NUMBERS:
WBS-22-972-90-01

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Cleveland, Ohio 44135-3191

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER:
E-15303

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC 20546-0001

REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED:
Technical Memorandum

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY REPORT NUMBER:
NASA TM-2005-213981

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES:
Prepared for the Space Technology and Applications International Forum (STAIF-2005) sponsored by the University of New Mexico's Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies (UNM-ISNPS), Albuquerque, New Mexico, February 13-17, 2005. Responsible person, David J. Anderson, e-mail: David.J.Anderson@nasa.gov, organization code PS, 216-433-8709.

ABSTRACT:
The focus of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) Development program is aimed at developing nuclear power and technologies that would improve the effectiveness of space science missions. The Radioisotope Power Conversion Technology (RPCT) NASA Research Announcement (NRA) is an important mechanism through which research and technology activities are supported in the Advanced Power Conversion Research and Technology project of the Advanced Radioisotope Power Systems Development program. The purpose of the RPCT NRA is to advance the development of radioisotope power conversion technologies to provide higher efficiencies and specific powers than existing systems. These advances would enable a factor of two to four decrease in the amount of fuel and a reduction of waste heat required to generate electrical power, and thus could result in more cost effective science missions for NASA. The RPCT NRA selected advanced RPS power conversion technology research and development proposals in the following three areas: innovative RPS power conversion research, RPS power conversion technology development in a nominal 100 We scale; and, milliwatt/multi-watt RPS (mWRPS) power conversion research. Ten RPCT NRA contracts were awarded in 2003 in the areas of Brayton, Stirling, thermoelectric (TE), and thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power conversion technologies. This paper will provide an overview of the RPCT NRA, a summary of the power conversion technologies approaches being pursued, and a brief digest of first year accomplishments.

SUBJECT TERMS:
Stirling cycle; Thermoelectric generators; Brayton cycle; Thermoelectricity; Space missions; Thermophotovoltaic conversion; Energy conversion efficiency; Power convertors; Regenerators

NUMBER OF PAGES:
14

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2005/TM-2005-213981.pdf ( 409 KB )
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