Goals and objectives stored chemical energy power systems (SCEPS) have been used in U.S. Navy torpedoes for decades. This high-energy-density, high-power technology can be reliably stored for years.…

This is a $500,000 grant award from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to The Pennsylvania State University, doing business as Penn State, to continue research on the applicability of Stored Chemical Energy Power Systems (SCEPS) for in-situ solar system exploration. The research seeks to mature a concept for using SCEPS to power a lander on the surface of Venus, where conventional battery or plutonium-powered systems have deficiencies. The study will also explore the potential use of SCEPS to enable exploration of other sunless regions like the moons, comets, and asteroids of the solar system. The award is not set aside and is part of NASA's larger program focused on non-radioisotope power systems for sunless solar system exploration missions. Penn State, a leading research university, will perform this work under the grant.

Goals and objectives stored chemical energy power systems (SCEPS) have been used in U.S. Navy torpedoes for decades. This high-energy-density, high-power technology can be reliably stored for years. In phase I we analyzed the applicability of SCEPS to in situ solar system exploration, looking to see if IT could be adapted to power a lander sent to a target with no usable sunlight as an energy source. We developed a candidate mission to the surface of venus, showing that SCEPS could be used for powering spacecraft and landers. The team compared IT to conventional battery and plutonium powered systems, both of which have deficiencies that are overcome by SCEPS. Our concept holds the promise of a power solution that could far exceed the operational capacity of existing batteries, allowing exciting exploration to continue despite the lack of available plutonium. We propose to continue the research into applying SCEPS to exploration missions that can't be powered by sunlight. In this study we will mature the venus mission studied in phase I. We will also expand our understanding of the usefulness of SCEPS to exploration of moons, comets, asteroids and other targets where sunlight is not sufficient to power the mission. We will engage with the leaders in science planning for small bodies, outer planets, and robotic missions to our own moon and make a determination of the first, most high impact use of SCEPS in space. An experiment will be performed to determine SCEPS performance when using CO2 as an oxidizer, approximating the in situ resource utilization of the venusian atmosphere. Venus science goals will be revisited to prepare the venus concept for the next level of study. We see an opportunity to expand our understanding of the impact that SCEPS could have on solar system exploration. The sunless environment of venus may indeed be explored through the use of SCEPS, but many cold, sunless regions may also benefit. Sending a SCEPS system to power a lander on the surface of europa or the lakes or dunes of titan may return substantial science that would be otherwise left unknown, or at least greatly delayed as the community works to solve the plutonium availability problem. We will develop a multi variable model for SCEPS function and performance using advanced trade space visualization and exploration tools and techniques. The trade space will include the information gleaned from the stakeholders. The trade space tools will allow US to see the intersection of SCEPS capability and mission utility. The collective results of the study will be used to create a roadmap for further maturation of SCEPS for use in space. In phase II we seek to expand the understanding of how best to target this technology and plan a path for development by developing a roadmap for TRL advancement of SCEPS in space that mirrors NASA solar system science goals in this decade.