Radiation-Hardened Adaptive Modular Power System

ABSTRACT: To address the Air Force need for versatile satellite power electronics, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to complete the development of a new Radiation-Hardened Adaptive Modular Power (RHAMP) system based on an array of sensor power monitors (SPMs) coupled with space-qualified lithium ion sources adapting to the fluctuating power needs of spacecraft electronics during LEO, MEO, and GEO. It is radiation-hardened, passively and actively, to minimize damage during orbit while still maintaining spacecraft power requirements during/after fault events. In Phase I POC conducted system-level analyses and conducted trade studies to validate the electronic circuit design, source selection, thermal and radiation shielding architecture, and overall power management concept. We demonstrated system capability with a TRL-2/-3 prototype and conducted in-house testing. In Phase II, POC will fabricate and deliver a flexible engineering demonstration unit capable of delivering reliable power with variable loads and identify radiation-sensitive components and methods of shielding for spacecraft applications. POC will demonstrate multiple SPM units managing a variety of space-qualified battery sources such as those from Yardney Lithion and integrate shielding on the component and system levels. In-house testing will include exposure to radiation sources to validate, at TRL-5, RHAMP"s ability to withstand the rigors of space flight. BENEFIT: The RHAMP system provides a modular and flexible, radiation-hardened, power management system for a variety of spacecraft and satellite applications that will ultimately reduce high life-cycle costs that are crippling current space programs. This technology has applications in a variety of military sectors, including power management of the myriad of wearable electronics currently used by the dismounted warfighter. Commercial applications include growing business sectors such as electrical vehicles and smart power grids for homes, offices, and hybrid and electric vehicles, which are extremely popular due to growing fuel costs around the globe.