Modeling the Operational Limits of Extreme Environment Electronics for Lunar/Martian Fission Surface Power (FSP)

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

Performance limits determined through modeling, of wide band gap silicon carbide (SiC) power/instrumentation electronics under concurrent high-temperature, high-radiation conditions for Lunar/Martian Fission Surface Power (FSP) reactors

Benefits

Well-understood performance limits of wide band gap silicon. carbide electronics enable design of reliable power and instrumentation components. Carbide electronics enable design of reliable power and instrumentation components for operation in high temperature, high-radiation environments in Lunar/Martian fission surface power reactors.

Details

Technology area	Aerospace Power and Energy Storage > Power Management and Distribution
Program	Center Innovation Fund: GRC CIF (GRC CIF)
Lead organization	Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH
Start date	2022-10-01
End date	2023-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Srihari Rajgopal — hari.rajgopal@nasa.gov
John D Wrbanek — john.d.wrbanek@nasa.gov
Philip G Neudeck — neudeck@nasa.gov
Robert S Okojie — robert.s.okojie@nasa.gov
Susan Y Wrbanek — susan.y.wrbanek@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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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