Seven candidate power systems for the sensor of a space-based laser radar system are identified, and their performance and operating characteristics are briefly described. The systems are the NiCd battery, NiH/sub 2/ battery, NaS battery, LiSO/sub 2/-Cl/sub 2/ battery, LiAl-FeS/sub 2/ battery, H/sub 2//O/sub 2/ fuel cell, and an inertial flywheel generator. The systems encompass a current or projected specific energy range of from 15.0 to 100 Wh/lb. To arrive at a meaningful basis for comparison and to aid in system selection, a figure-of-merit (FOM) was established. Because the FOM is somewhat qualitative in content, scoring weighting factors were utilized to further quantify the results. The NiH/sub 2/ battery and the NaS battery received the highest FOM rankings. Following next in order were the H/sub 2//O/sub 2/ fuel cell and the inertial flywheel generator. The NiCd and lithium thermal batteries received the lowest ratings. These results are of a preliminary nature. Extension of these analyses to include reliability and cost factors is recommended.<>


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Space power alternatives for laser radar sensor system


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    1990-03-01


    Size :

    451794 byte




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





    Alternatives for military space radar

    Gillen, Cale M. | TIBKAT | 2010



    Space Solar Power Satellite Alternatives and Architectures

    Potter, S. / Bayer, M. / Davis, D. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2009