Abstract: Systems and methods for powering an electrical thruster (112) of a vehicle (100). The methods comprise providing an unregulated high voltage output current of a high voltage solar array (122) directly to an electric propulsion system (104) of the vehicle. The electric propulsion system generates a converted high voltage current by converting a voltage level of the unregulated high voltage output current. The converted high voltage current is supplied directly to an anode of the electrical thruster. A regulated low voltage current is also generated by regulating a low voltage output of a low voltage solar array (124). The regulated low voltage current is used to supply power to at least one electronic component of the electrical thruster.

Abstract: A power converter is provided and includes a heat collector surface, n- and p-legs formed of n- and p-type thermoelectric materials, respectively, which are each disposed in thermal communication with the heat collector surface, parallel electric busses electrically coupled to the n- and p-legs and a housing, which is electrically decoupled from the busses, to support the heat collector surface at a predefined distance from a heat pipe.

Abstract: A heat rejection system includes a plurality of panel subassemblies and a solid state heat pipe flex joint. Each panel subassembly includes a fin, a solid state heat pipe manifold, a first solid state heat pipe tube operatively connected to the solid state heat pipe manifold and secured to the fin, a second solid state heat pipe tube operatively connected to the solid state heat pipe manifold adjacent to the first solid state heat pipe and secured to the fin. The solid state heat pipe flex joint operably connects the solid state heat pipe manifolds of two of the plurality of panel subassemblies in a hermetically sealed configuration, and is configured to permit repositioning of the two panel subassemblies relative to each other.

Abstract: A center-tapped solar array includes a plurality of series-connected solar cells connected between a positive terminal and a negative terminal for generating an output voltage. A center-tapped terminal connected to ground is connected to the plurality of series-connected solar cells at a midpoint between the positive and negative terminals. As a result, the positive terminal of the solar array has a positive voltage relative to ground greater than the center-tapped terminal and the negative terminal has a negative voltage relative to ground less than the center-tapped terminal.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery assembly provides load balancing for individual battery cells making up a battery assembly. The battery assembly includes a plurality of series-connected battery cell assemblies. Each battery cell assembly includes a battery cell and a charge bypass load connected in parallel with the battery cell. A cell supervisory circuits (CSCs) and battery interface unit (BUI) interface between the battery cell assembly and a battery charge/discharge circuit to provide load balancing by comparing the voltages monitored with respect to each battery cell assembly to an end of charge voltage (EOCV) threshold and in response to the monitored voltage equaling the EOCV threshold issues a charge bypass command to the CSC to activate the charge bypass load.

Abstract: A solar receiver device includes a metal conduit and a glass container disposed around the metal conduit such that there is a space between the glass container and the conduit. A coating is disposed on the metal conduit and has a composition that includes at least one element from silicon, titanium, aluminum, barium, and samarium.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided and includes a reactor core, a boom and a shield assembly supportively interposed between the reactor core and the boom, a heat pipe disposed in thermal communication with the reactor core, a thermoelectric power converter operably coupled to the heat pipe, struts supportively coupled to the heat pipe at opposite ends of the power converter and hinge joints to rotatably couple the struts to the boom, at least one of the hinge joints being spring-loaded.

Abstract: A solar power source is a multi-layer structure consisting of photovoltaic and quantum well thermoelectric modules in electrical contact with, but thermally insulating from, each other. The structure generates power when focused solar energy is directed at the photovoltaic module which generates power, heats up, and subsequently generates a thermal gradient in the thermoelectric module which generates additional power. The thermoelectric module may generate additional electrical energy using the Seebeck effect, or may cool the photovoltaic module using the Peltier effect.

Abstract: A heat exchanger structure includes a monolithic extrusion and a plurality of headers. The extrusion includes a first end; a second end; a first, smooth side; and a second side with a plurality of smooth portions alternating with a plurality of raised portions defining a plurality of parallel flow passages extending from the first end to the second end; and a plurality of headers connecting the plurality of flow passages to form a flow path.

Abstract: A panel for forming a heat exchanger structure includes a first end; a second end; a first side to connect to another adjacent panel; a second side to connect to an adjacent panel; a first surface between the first and second ends and the first and second sides; a second surface between the first and second ends and the first and second sides; and a circular flow passage extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the panel is an extruded monolithic structure.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery assembly provides load balancing for individual battery cells making up a battery assembly. The battery assembly includes a plurality of series-connected battery cell assemblies. Each battery cell assembly includes a battery cell and a charge bypass load connected in parallel with the battery cell. A cell supervisory circuits (CSCs) and battery interface unit (BUI) interface between the battery cell assembly and a battery charge/discharge circuit to provide load balancing by comparing the voltages monitored with respect to each battery cell assembly to an end of charge voltage (EOCV) threshold and in response to the monitored voltage equaling the EOCV threshold issues a charge bypass command to the CSC to activate the charge bypass load.

Abstract: An example space-based power generation panel arrangement includes a first reflective panel and at least one heat pipe configured to communicate thermal energy to the first reflective panel and a second reflective panel. The heat pipe is configured to hinge the first reflective panel to the second reflective panel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided and includes a reactor core, a boom and a shield assembly supportively interposed between the reactor core and the boom, a heat pipe disposed in thermal communication with the reactor core, a thermoelectric power converter operably coupled to the heat pipe, struts supportively coupled to the heat pipe at opposite ends of the power converter and hinge joints to rotatably couple the struts to the boom, at least one of the hinge joints being spring-loaded.

Abstract: A power converter is provided and includes a heat collector surface, n- and p-legs formed of n- and p-type thermoelectric materials, respectively, which are each disposed in thermal communication with the heat collector surface, parallel electric busses electrically coupled to the n- and p-legs and a housing, which is electrically decoupled from the busses, to support the heat collector surface at a predefined distance from a heat pipe.

Abstract: A resource recovery system includes a capture container located at a desired surface defining a capture volume between the surface and an interior of the capture container. One or more hole-making devices are located in the capture container to excavate soil from at least one hole in the surface. A heater located in the hole making device heats the excavated soil, releasing one or more compounds from the excavated soil. The capture container is configured to capture gas and/or liquid compounds released from the excavated soil. A method of resource extraction from soil includes covering a desired surface with a capture container defining a capture volume between the desired surface and an interior of the capture container. Soil is excavated from a hole in the desired surface into the capture volume with an auger. The auger heats the excavated soil thereby releasing one or more compounds into the capture volume.

Abstract: A resource recovery system includes a capture container located at a desired surface defining a capture volume between the surface and an interior of the capture container. One or more hole-making devices are configured to excavate soil from at least one hole in the surface. One or more energy emitters direct energy toward the excavated soil to heat the excavated soil thereby releasing one or more compounds. The capture container is configured to capture gas and/or liquid compounds released from the excavated soil. A method of resource extraction from soil includes covering a desired surface with a capture container defining a capture volume between the desired surface and an interior of the capture container. Soil is excavated from a hole in the desired surface into the capture volume. The excavated soil is heated via one or more energy emitters thereby releasing one or more compounds into the capture volume.

Abstract: A center-tapped solar array includes a plurality of series-connected solar cells connected between a positive terminal and a negative terminal for generating an output voltage. A center-tapped terminal connected to ground is connected to the plurality of series-connected solar cells at a midpoint between the positive and negative terminals. As a result, the positive terminal of the solar array has a positive voltage relative to ground greater than the center-tapped terminal and the negative terminal has a negative voltage relative to ground less than the center-tapped terminal.

Abstract: A solar receiver device includes a metal conduit and a glass container disposed around the metal conduit such that there is a space between the glass container and the conduit. A coating is disposed on the metal conduit and has a composition that includes at least one element from silicon, titanium, aluminum, barium, and samarium.

Abstract: An example space-based power generation panel arrangement includes a first reflective panel and at least one heat pipe configured to communicate thermal energy to the first reflective panel and a second reflective panel. The heat pipe is configured to hinge the first reflective panel to the second reflective panel.

Abstract: A reflective concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) array includes a plurality of Fresnel reflectors connected to and extending outward from a support structure, which direct light onto a CPV panel. The CPV panel is at least thermally connected to the center structure via a heat pipe radiator.