ISRU Power Architecture Study (ISRU PWR ARCH-STUDY)

This project is for a development of an ISRU Power Architecture study and MATLAB modeling and Hardware in the Loop (HIL) simulation that will help inform design of electrical power systems to enable sustained Lunar and planetary surface power.  Previous work completed so far includes analytical studies recommending a 3 kV AC electrical power grid for the Artemis power system, and the development of an initial proof of concept breadboard of the universal modular interface converter (UMIC) which is a bidirectional, grid forming inverter intended to connect Artemis assets to this grid.    NASA GRC is leading this effort with JSC support responding to modeling and analysis needs for novel Lunar surface power management and distribution (PMAD) systems.  Specifically, NASA JSC has expressed a need to model and analyze the PMAD systems of candidate In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) systems.  1. Develop key capabilities including:  * Software and firmware to enable a Speedgoat HIL product to drive loads and sources to reflect the operation of a simulated power system,  * Simulink models representative of the lunar surface PMAD system or components as needed for HIL testing,  * Networking techniques to enable multiple Speedgoats to interface with a single real-time simulation (with a target update rate in the kHz range but is still TBD based on technology and network limitations/constraints), and  * Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) connected to this HIL simulation that enable the operation and management of the simulated Lunar power system.   Build MATLAB code-based models of PMAD systems in a GRC developed object-oriented modeling tool for the JSC ISRU team.  2. In both the HIL and modeling work, the project will produce documentation describing models generated and will include results of any unit testing of these models, including presentation of results and performing demonstrations of the HIL capabilities.

This project is for a development of an ISRU Power Architecture study and MATLAB modeling and Hardware in the Loop (HIL) simulation that will help inform design of electrical power systems to enable sustained Lunar and planetary surface power. Previous work completed so far includes analytical studies recommending a 3 kV AC electrical power grid for the Artemis power system, and the development of an initial proof of concept breadboard of the universal modular interface converter (UMIC) which is a bidirectional, grid forming inverter intended to connect Artemis assets to this grid. NASA GRC is leading this effort with JSC support responding to modeling and analysis needs for novel Lunar surface power management and distribution (PMAD) systems. Specifically, NASA JSC has expressed a need to model and analyze the PMAD systems of candidate In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) systems. 1. Develop key capabilities including: • Software and firmware to enable a Speedgoat HIL product to drive loads and sources to reflect the operation of a simulated power system, • Simulink models representative of the lunar surface PMAD system or components as needed for HIL testing, • Networking techniques to enable multiple Speedgoats to interface with a single real-time simulation (with a target update rate in the kHz range but is still TBD based on technology and network limitations/constraints), and • Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) connected to this HIL simulation that enable the operation and management of the simulated Lunar power system. 2. Build MATLAB code-based models of PMAD systems in a GRC developed object-oriented modeling tool for the JSC ISRU team. 3. In both the HIL and modeling work, the project will produce documentation describing models generated and will include results of any unit testing of these models, including presentation of results and performing demonstrations of the HIL capabilities.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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