SOLAR THERMAL PROPULSION

PRESENTED BY LAKSHMAN V

1VW11MAP04

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION BASIC PRINCIPLE WORKING OF STP SPACE CRAFT ELEMENTS OF STP

STP CONCEPTS
METHODS OF HEATING PROPELLENT BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS

CONCLUSION
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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru 4/26/2013

WHY STP ? WHY NOT SOMETHING?

Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

INTRODUCTION
STP system uses solar energy directly as heat. Requires only one propellant. STP effectively bridges the performance gap between chemical and electric propulsion. Does not require development of the power source. Moderate thrust, propellant efficiency.

Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

BASIC PRINCIPLE

Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

WORKING OF STP SPACE CRAFT

The concentrator and the thruster are optically coupled with the absorber located at the concentrator focus.

The optically coupled concentrator absorber configuration can be sensitive to structural deformations caused by concentrator sub system rotation or acceleration.

The propellant was injected tangentially in to the graphite core.

Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

ELEMENTS OF STP
o CONCENTRATOR

It focuses and directs incident radiation to thruster

o THRUSTER Receives solar energy , heats and expands propellant to produce thrust. o PROPELLANT SYSTEM Stores cryogenic propellant extended periods and passively feeds it to the thruster.
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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

CONCENTRATORS
solar concentrator uses Fresnel lenses Two concentrator designs Rigid and Inflatable type

Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

INFLATED CONCENTRATORS
It consists of two reflectors Reflectors are symmetrical and bounded at their edges LaRC-CP1TM polyimide material Resistant to UV radiation, stable in a space vacuum and lightweight compared to glass or metal optics.

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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

ABSORBER AND THRUSTER

Absorber function as a heat exchanger Transport of high intensity solar flux to the solar receiver via optical fiber cable. Solar receiver core is made of graphite cylinder. Graphite core is surrounded by the molybdenum tube.

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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

STP CONCEPTS
o DIRECT GAIN CONCEPT
In this concept concentrator continuously tracks the sun during the burn and the spacecraft remain pointed along the desired orbital trajectory. The concentrator be able to rotate up to 180 degrees while the space craft rolls 180 degrees. Concentrator be mounted on a turn-table capable of the large deflections. It produces specific impulse of 800-960 seconds.

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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

THERMAL STORAGE CONCEPT

The storage of solar energy enables a higher thrust with smaller concentrators. It simplifies sun tracking and thrust orientation Specific impulse depends on storage temperature

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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

METHODS OF HEATING PROPELLENT

o DIRECT METHOD
In the direct method the propellant flow through sandy material .

The cylindrical heating chamber rotates which is porous to let the gas in. Leakage around and other seals are serious concerns. The rotating chamber is considerably more complex.

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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

INDIRECT METHOD
Indirect solar radiation has the propellant flow through only pipes or passages in the wall of a windowless heating cavity then this gas passes through a nozzle.

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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

TECHNOLOGIES UNDER DEVELOPING FOR STP

High temperature heat exchangers Low cost manufacturing of high performance components Long term cryogenic hydrogen storage Light weight, less rigid structures

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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

BENEFITS OF STP
HIGH EFFICIENCY HIGHER SPECIC IMPULSE HIGHER THRUST TO WEIGHT RATIO HIGHER PAYLOAD FRACTION

LOW COST FOR INTERPLANETARY AND SPACE EPLORATION

SPACE SOLAR POWER

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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

LIMITATIONS OF STP
RELATIVELY LOWER THRUST LESS EFFICIENT PLACES WHERE SUNLIGHT INTENSITY IS LOW GROUND LEVEL TESTING

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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

CONCLUSION
Less expensive, much simpler, more efficient. Missions to the moon and mars as well as boosting payloads to higher orbit. Solar absorber, thruster and inflated concentrated technology development have continued to be advanced under AFRL over the last 20 years.

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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013

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Dept. of Aerospace Propulsion Technology , VTU Bengaluru

4/26/2013