← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 4)
Develop a scalable power processing unit (PPU) for pulsed, high power in-space solar and nuclear electric propulsion systems operating at high repetition rates. Specific goals are to design and construct a PPU for pulsed electric propulsion systems which demonstrate scalable, high power (1–10 kW, with scaling to at least 100 kW) operation at high pulse rates (1–10 kHz) while simultaneously achieving high electrical efficiency (at least 80%), low specific mass (no more than 3 kg/kW), and compatibility with standard large spacecraft bus voltages (120–200 V).
Potential applications at these power levels include reduced orbit raising times for communications satellites, orbit transfers for the NASA Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, deep space science missions, and cargo missions to Mars. Scaling the technology to higher average power levels (100’s of kW) could ultimately support manned missions to the Moon and Mars.
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.
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.