Low Mass, High Voltage Cables for Long Distance Lunar Power Distribution

In Phase II, Astrobotic has refined the outputs based on learnings in Phase I, and identified the following as the key outputs to achieve in the Phase II efforts: Refined design requirements for a cable assembly (including connector) in a mission environment. Focus will be on the cable and connector in lieu of the reel, based on findings in Phase I. Cable design trade study modifications. Focus will be on manufacturing methods, unique materials, radiation and thermal design analysis, and minimization of mass while maximizing performance (frequency and throughput at a distance). Cable manufacturer and connector manufacturer engagements and prototyping. Focus will be on manufacturing capabilities at long lengths with consistency, and connectors that can withstand the power levels and extreme environments. Detailed designs for the cable, and connectors, to generate a complete cable assembly. Designs will be modified based on trade studies, and full assembly will be performed to allow for assembled testing. Fabricated Prototypes (2 rounds) of Cables (1000ft each round) and Connectors Cable and connector test procedures and test results. Two sets of testing will be performed, including characteristic impedance, capacitance per unit length, high power efficiency throughput, dielectric breakdown, mechanical strength, accelerated life, EMI/EMC testing, and dusty thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing. Analytical simulations of the cable design and correlation to test results. Simulations include LTSpice circuit simulations, ANSYS electromagnetic simulations, and analytical hand calculations. At the conclusion of these efforts, the high fidelity prototype cable assembly will have been tested in a relevant environment achieving TRL 6. This will address critical gaps in technology as identified by NASA,assessing temperature swings and space radiation level analysis. This will ensure the cable technology supports up to 10kW power transfer with low mass materials. Space Policy 1 directs NASA to return humans to the Moon in the Artemis program. Precursor robotic and science missions are core capabilities that must ensue before a human return to the lunar surface to characterize landing sites and buy down risk.  The Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program plays a pivotal role in enabling these missions. A common thread among each of these missions is that all of them require power to be successful. Generating, storing, and transmitting power is a critical infrastructure need for all human and robotic activities. One of the greatest challenges with large scale power systems is the ability to transmit power over long distances while minimizing inefficiencies and loss.  There is no existing flight qualified solution for this capability gap to date as evidenced by NASA Technology Taxonomy TX03 and LIVE thrust for Power and Energy Storage within NASA’s Strategic Framework. Astrobotic proposes to develop a novel lightweight and high voltage cable to enable the installation of long-distance power transmission lines on the lunar surface.  The technical objectives of the mission will be as follows. Objective 1: Cable Model Refinement, Cable Design (Prototype A), and Termination Selection Objective 2: Cable and Connector Fabrication (Prototype A) and Preparation for Tests Objective 3: Cable and Connector Characterization Testing (Prototype A)   Objective 4: Cable Analysis Refinement, Design (Prototype B), and Termination Refinement and Modifications   Objective 5: Cable and Connector Fabrication (Prototype B) and Preparation for Test Objective 6: Cable and Connector (Prototype B) Characteristic and Environmental Testing Ultimately, the goal will be to showcase a high fidelity prototype cable assembly tested in a relevant environment (TVAC, EMI, Accelerated Life). Astrobotic will address key NASA identified critical gaps through analysis and test of the low mass, high power wires and terminations, specifically: Temperature swings and the ability to work in environmental extremes of lunar night (quoted -153C from NASA SBIR Solicitation), and analysis of the ability to withstanding space radiation levels. Astrobotic will ensure the technology design supports up to 10kW of power transfer using low mass materials.  Deliverables to NASA will include quarterly reports on progress and a final report of the test results for the cable assembly showcasing a tested prototype in a relevant environment. 

Power distribution and management is one of the three core facets highlighted in Technology Taxonomy area 3 and specifically states that high-voltage power distribution technologies are sought to advance missions for the coming decades. Low mass, high voltage cables are the ideal power distribution solution to support a global power grid infrastructure on the Moon. Multiple VSAT and fission surface power nodes could be interconnected with long distance cabling solutions to provide continuous power across the poles of the Moon. The cable assembly proposed here is a critical enabling technology of Astrobotic’s lunar power grid, LunaGrid, which will allows companies like Astrobotic to offer lunar "Power as a Service." Astrobotic will use this power for its own landers and rovers and sell it to other lunar lander and rover providers within the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, a $300M annual market.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.