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Canceled TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
The overall goal of this task is to design and develop a prototype combined heat and power system, that generates high quality heat for thermal management and power using exothermic chemical reactions. These systems would provide high quality heat and power for missions operating for days to weeks, with an estimated order of magnitude lower cost than a radioisotope power source.
Heat is a critical resource for spacecraft operating at the Moon and beyond. This heat is used for maintaining avionics and other critical systems within allowable flight temperatures, and is typically provided by electrical heaters or radioisotope heating units, or by waste heat from spacecraft operations. High quality heat sources (such as the General Purpose Heat Source) also provide heat for thermal energy conversion power systems, such as the Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG). Short to moderate duration missions (operating for days to weeks) can be significantly enabled and/or enhanced by new, cost effective options which provide high quality heat for thermal management and power generation, without the use of radioisotope sources.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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