A spacecraft includes a power train that includes a solar array, an electric propulsion subsystem, and a power conversion module. The power conversion module receives power from the solar array at a voltage, Vi; and delivers power to the electric propulsion subsystem at a voltage, Vo. The spacecraft is configured to operate at a varying distance, D, from the sun within the range of Dmin to Dmax, Dmax being at least 1.3×Dmin. The solar array is configured to deliver power to the power conversion module at a voltage approximately equal to Vo when the spacecraft is proximate to Dmax.


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    Title :

    Power train for deep space solar electric propulsion



    Publication date :

    2021-03-23


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    H01M Verfahren oder Mittel, z.B. Batterien, für die direkte Umwandlung von chemischer in elektrische Energie , PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY / B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS / G05F SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES , Systeme zum Regeln elektrischer oder magnetischer Veränderlicher