Advanced Space Power Systems (ASPS) will develop technologies and components to provide safe, reliable, and abundant power for deep-space human and robotic missions (and dual-use terrestrial applications), including low-cost solar arrays, advanced batteries, and regenerative fuel cells.
Note: Please note that this is an “archived project” and is no longer updated. This article is meant for historical purposes only.
Advanced Space Power Systems (ASPS) will develop technologies and components to provide safe, reliable, and abundant power for deep-space human and robotic missions (and dual-use terrestrial applications), including low-cost solar arrays, advanced batteries, and regenerative fuel cells. These technologies will be used in components and systems appropriate for a variety of applications that include extravehicular activity (EVA) life support systems, spacecraft, habitats, and rovers. ASPS will carry three project elements: advanced regenerative fuel cells, which include fuel cells and electrolyzers and balance of plant subsystems using an innovative passive fluid management technology; advanced high specific energy and energy density lithium-ion batteries with flame retardant electrolytes; and next-generation low-cost, high-power, space-tolerant solar power arrays that integrate advances in cell and manufacturing processing to achieve the end goals. In all three elements, the technologies will be matured and then demonstrated in prototypes of appropriate size, power, and mass relevant to the end application.
Abundant power expands the capabilities of every human and robotic mission, including missions to asteroids, planets, moons, libration points, and orbiting structures. Furthermore, abundant power provides benefits for all phases of space flight: vehicle operations, electric propulsion systems, and destination applications.
