Space exploration, power technologies

Lithium-ion (shuttle-cock, rocking-chair, swing) battery is widely considered as the most advanced power source for consumer electronics and is regarded as the most promising battery technology for a variety of other applications, such as electric vehicles, medicine and space exploration. One of the most critical factors in designing successful Li-ion cell is the choice of... 

Fuel cells have the longest record of application in space exploration. Since the Gemini missions of NASA, fuel cells have been an indispensable technology in matmed space travel. The fuel cell systems used in the NASA space shuttles are based on alkaline fuel cells from UTC. Each orbiter has three systems of 7kWe each, which produce all electric power on board and provide potable water. These systems are hydrogen and oxygen fueled. 

Space Exploration. Space exploration has also substantially profited from nuclear technology— in particular, the development of the radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) that have used plutonium-generated heat to produce electrical power for unmanned spaced travel ever since the launch of Voyager 1 in 1977. 

The National Vision for Space Exploration (NASA, 2004) laid out by President Bush in January 2004, calls for a return to the Moon in preparation for the human exploration of Mars and other destinations. According to this plan, the Moon will provide an operational enviromnent for demonstrating human exploration technologies and capabilities within relatively safe reach of Earth. These capabilities included sustainable exploration techniques, such as the utilization of space resources, and human-scale exploration systems, such as power generation, surface mobility, and habitation and life support systems. In addition, lunar... 

The Naval Reactors program was specifically chartered to work on a deep space nuclear power system for the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO) mission. The requirements for the Deep Space Vehicle (which includes the Reactor Module) included multi-mission capability for other civilian deep space exploration missions. The high level requirements of the Prometheus project also included that the nuclear power technologies developed be extensible to Moon/Mars surface exploration missions. This requirement of extensibility was implemented by NASA through Level 1 and Level 2 requirements as discussed below. 

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