2kW Universal Modular interface Converter (2kW UMIC)

The 2kW Universal Modular Interface Converter (UMIC) project is focused on improving the performance of the UMIC; a high-voltage bi-directional AC to DC converter designed to enable long-distance power transmission on other planetary surfaces, mainly the Moon and Mars. The 2kW inverter/rectifier project aims to improve the power density of the UMIC by increasing the power processing capability without adding mass. The UMIC was first proposed and developed through the Micro-grid Interface Converter for Planetary Surfaces (MIPS) project, which successfully completed in first quarter FY25. The MIPS projects was a multi-part project intended to drive the implementation of modular and extensible power distribution capabilities on the lunar surface.  MIPS involved three major activities: (1) Identification of power needs on the lunar surface, modeling various grid attributes, and selecting a notional lunar grid layout; (2) obtaining input from the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and joint NASA-Industry on modular power architectures; and (3) Design and demonstration of a Universal Modular Interface Converter (UMIC) which serves as a reference implementation of this power interface. The MIPS Project designed and built a 10-kW nominal (12-kW peak power) UMIC at a Technology Readiness Level 4 (breadboard validation in laboratory environment).  The current UMIC design consists of twelve (12) individual 1 kW inverter/rectifier modules responsible for the conversion between low voltage AC and DC. The goal is to increase the power processing capability of the inverter/rectifier from 1kW to 2kW. This is accomplished by changing the inverter/rectifier module from a legacy 6-switch inverter design to a 12-switch one, doubling the power capability of each module. In addition, the new switch inverter design will reduce the harmonics generated in the output power resulting in a smaller and lighter filter design, further reducing the mass of the inverter/rectifier design.

​This work directly aligns to the Game Changing Development Program's LIVE Domain's need to “Provide power through common distribution interfaces to and among assets on the lunar surface". This effort has strong industry partner interest including Astrobotic Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT), Astrobotic LunaGrid-Lite-Tipping Point, Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin in their ongoing involvement with the UMIC. The redesign expects to better exploit synergies between the magnetics, power stage, and controls subsystems of the UMIC, allowing multiple elements to be eliminated, shrunk, and/or consolidated yielding an estimated volume savings of 70% of the previous design (when scaled to 10 kW). Mass and volume savings are of significant importance to space technologies due to the high launch cost per mass, as well as the limited volume aboard spacecraft. If successful, this project will raise the inverter/rectifier efficiency from 93% to 96%, and increase the inverter/rectifier specific power from 375 W/kg to 500 W/kg. ​

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