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Propulsion and Energy

Radioisotope and solar-powered missions to Mars, moon, GEO

By Giang Lam|December 2019

The Aerospace Power Systems Technical Committee focuses on the analysis, design, test or application of electric power systems or elements of electric power systems for aerospace use.

NASA gave the U.S. Department of Energy the go-ahead in July to fuel the Mars 2020 rover’s Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator with plutonium dioxide in preparation for the launch to the red planet in July 2020. The MMRTG’s total mass is about 45 kilograms, of which 4.8 kg is plutonium dioxide — the source of the steady supply of heat to convert into electricity for storage in two lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. The electrical power system on the Mars 2020 rover produces about 110 watts at launch and will decline a few percent per year for a 14-year operational life. Unlike with solar panels, with the MMRTG engineers get the flexibility to operate the rover’s instruments at night, during dust storms and through the winter.

Aboard the Mars 2020 rover as one of the science payloads is the solar-powered Mars Helicopter, which was attached to the belly of the rover in August. The drone has a mass of 1.8 kg and will demonstrate flight stability on the surface of Mars and scout the best driving route for the rover. Solar cells will recharge its batteries, which are six lithium-ion cells with a nameplate capacity of 2 ampere-hours.

The first European Service Module, built by Airbus Defense and Space, was mated to NASA’s Orion crew module in July. Built by Lockheed Martin Space, the Orion is attached to the front of the service module. The combined assembly was to undergo critical thermal-vacuum testing in late 2019 at NASA’s Plum Brook Station in Ohio and return to Kennedy Space Center in Florida in early 2020 to begin launch preparations, including installation of the four solar array wings. The electrical power source on the European Service Module consists of four solar array wings comprised of three solar panels per wing. The solar array wings provide approximately 11.2 kilowatts of total power at 120 volts. The solar cells are the latest triple-junction technology, provided by New Mexico-based SolAero Technologies. The solar array orientation is controlled by the two-axis solar array drive mechanism, which can swivel between minus 35 degrees and plus 25 degrees on the inner axis and rotate fully from 0 to plus 360 degrees on the outer axis to sun-track for maximum power. The four wings are folded against the crew module adapter of the service module during launch and extend out 7 meters after launch into low Earth orbit. A Space Launch System rocket will launch the Orion spacecraft on the uncrewed Artemis-1 mission around the moon, targeted for before the end of 2020.

Lockheed Martin’s A2100TR satellite bus with fourth-generation 25-kW Multi-mission Modular solar Array, or MMA, launched and deployed on orbit in February on the SaudiGeoSat-1/HellasSat-4 communications satellite, designed for 15 years of on-orbit operation. SaudiGeoSat-1/HellasSat-4 has electric propulsion Hall Current thrusters powered by the MMA to transfer the satellite to its geostationary final orbit. The orbit transfer after launch was completed on schedule, and the satellite was to enter service in late 2019 at its assigned orbit at 39 degrees east longitude. In addition to this mission, a second commercial A2100TR satellite also powered by the MMA, Arabsat-6A, was launched in April on the first Falcon Heavy booster with a commercial payload. This satellite also used a 25 kW version of the MMA, modularly designed to support both lower- and higher-power satellite configurations. As of the beginning of October, this satellite was also operating nominally in its assigned orbit and was to enter service in late 2019. A third lower-powered 13 kW MMA variant was scheduled to launch in December at the earliest on an A2100TR satellite, JCSat-17.

Contributors: John Gibb and Scott Billets

2019 Year in Review

Aerospace Design and Structures

A small aircraft with a blue and white color scheme is undergoing maintenance inside a hangar. It is surrounded by various tools, equipment, and safety barriers.

X-57 Maxwell leads structural dynamic work

The image shows microstructural analysis including electron microscopy and combustion tests of a material, with a cylindrical sample shown in the top right corner.

Unique material innovations reduce costs in manufacturing

A hypersonic aircraft is attached to the underside of a larger aircraft, ready for launch, with a dramatic sky in the background.

Hypersonics benefit from computational efficiencies

Aerospace Outreach

Two astronauts, one in a blue shirt and the other in a spacesuit, are inside a spacecraft. The suited astronaut is being assisted, likely preparing for an EVA (extravehicular activity).

Apollo anniversary inspires more exploration and milestones

Two astronauts in white space suits seated inside a spacecraft, facing the camera.

A year of turmoil and success in aerospace

A spacecraft launches into the night sky, with bright flames and smoke emerging from its base, flanked by structures on either side.

James Webb Space Telescope and Artemis I launch top year’s accomplishments

Aerospace Sciences

A neon-lit tunnel with a circular pink light at the end, reflecting on a glossy floor, surrounded by dark walls.

Improving measurement with spinning mirrors, schlieren images and magnetic suspension

Image of a futuristic quadcopter drone with four rotors stationed on a rocky, barren terrain, resembling a Mars-like environment.

Advances in thermal management for hypersonic flight and Titan exploration

Phoenix SkyHarbor aircraft control tower

Big strides in air control

Aircraft Technology, Integration and Operations

Interior of an airplane cockpit showing a detailed navigation screen on a tablet mounted next to various flight controls.

NASA, FAA roll out apps for improved flight efficiency

A rocket launches vertically amid a cloud of smoke and flames, flanked by two tall support towers against a clear blue sky.

Space vehicle, automation testing prevalent

NASA’s Ikhana unmanned aircraft

FAA reaches NextGen, unmanned air milestones

Engineering and Technology Management

British F-35Bs

Vertical flight continues to grow

Atmospheric picture of space

A century ago, aviation became an industry

Solar Impulse 2

A year that caught public’s notice

Information Systems

Two airport ground staff in high-visibility vests walk beside a parked airplane at an airport. Other ground support equipment and vehicles are in the background.

Space and aviation sectors invest in community awareness, training and education to ward off increasing cyberattacks

A large black computer tower.

Ensuring security while building faster supercomputers

A large missile is being launched into the sky, leaving a trail of smoke, with a military aircraft flying nearby. The sky is clear with some clouds below.

Artificial intelligence and hypersonic weapons drive sensing, fusion research

Integration

Image of Jupiter with its Great Red Spot and several bands of clouds, captured in high detail. The planet's thin rings are faintly visible, and the background is a dark space with a few distant stars.

Space exploration’s giant eye in the sky opens

Military personnel gather around and observe a large drone-like vehicle on a field. One individual in uniform is seated inside the vehicle, while another person stands nearby explaining.

Aerospace traffic management faces new challenges

Visualization of airflow simulation over an aircraft wing, showing turbulent flow patterns in shades of purple and pink, with a color scale indicating high to low velocity regions.

Continued progress toward the CFD Vision 2030 goals

Program Committees

NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed in Sandusky, Ohio

Electric efforts gaining power

Tests at the Lockheed Martin Low Speed Wind Tunnel in Ohio

Going green moves to higher gear

rotating detonating engine

New and existing systems show progress

Propulsion and Energy

A rocket engine test showing an ignited engine with blue exhaust flame, surrounded by various tubes and machinery.

Rotating detonation engines at the forefront of pressure gain combustion

A digital illustration of a spacecraft with a large dish antenna and solar panels flying past a textured orange planet in space.

Voyagers hit 40 years operating, Cassini mission ends

A rocket engine test stand with a lit engine emitting flames is outdoors, surrounded by trees and a clear sky.

Encouraging tests of hybrids hold hope of safer, reliable access to space

Space and Missiles

A plastic tray labeled

New suit designs and methods to survive in space

Cross-section of a cylindrical, futuristic habitation unit with multiple floors. Features vertical farming, living spaces, and technological equipment.

Expanding the boundaries of space habitat design

A stage with a black curtain and a black floor.

Space elevator experiment sent to space station

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Radioisotope and solar-powered missions to Mars, moon, GEO