FUEL CELL PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR A HIGH ALTITUDE RESEARCH PLATFORM

THE INNOVATION PROPOSED FOR DEVELOPMENT IS A FUEL-CELL BASED ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR VERY HIGH-ALTITUDE AIRCRAFT. THIS SYSTEM WOULD POTENTIALLY BE CAPABLE OF REACHING ALTITUDES OF UP TO 40 KM (131,000 FT) WITH A SCIENTIFIC PAYLOAD IN EXCESS OF 450 KG (1000 LBS). IT WOULDBE AN ATTRACTIVE PROPULSION ALTERNATIVE FOR NASA'S PROPOSED HIGH ALTITUDE RESEARCH PLATFORM (HARP) OR OTHER VERY HIGH ALTITUDE AIRCRAFT. PHASE I WILL DESIGN A SYSTEM THAT USES EITHER CRYOGENIC OXYGEN OR COMPRESSED AIR AS THE OXIDIZER FOR THE FUEL CELL. THE SEVEN TASKS TO BE COMPLETED INCLUDE: 1) FUEL CELL SELECTION; 2) EVALUATION OF TURBOCHARGING CONCEPTS; 3) PREDICTION OF PROPELLER PERFORMANCE; 4) ANALYSIS OF ELECTRICPROPULSION DRIVE TRAINS; 5) ANALYSIS OF FUEL CELL AND MOTOR COOLING REQUIREMENTS; 6) PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF A BASELINE SYSTEM; AND 7) FORMULATION OF RESULTS SO AS TO SUPPORT PARAMETRIC STUDIES FOR AIRCRAFT SIZING AND OPTIMIZATION. AURORA'S STUDY WILL BE BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE DEVELOPING PERSEUS, A BATTERY-POWERED RPV THAT CAN CARRY 50 KG PAYLOADSTO 25 KM ALTITUDES. AURORA WILL BE ASSISTED BY A TEAM THAT INCLUDES PERSONNEL FROM THE INTERNATIONAL FUEL CELLS DIVISION OF UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, INLAND MOTORS, AND THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.