Hamilton Sundstrand is drawing on aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU) technology the develop the power conversion, conditioning and distribution systems for the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO), NASA's first mission using nuclear electric propulsion. The US systems supplier is part of the Northrop Grumman and NASA team co-designing the Prometheus 1 spacecraft - scheduled for launch no earlier than 2015.
JIMO is planned to use Brayton-cycle power conversion, a turbine being used to drive an alternator to generate electric power for the spacecraft's systems and engines. "Northrop selected Brayton for its overall efficiency," says Steve Krise, Hamilton Sundstrand general manager, space, land and sea systems. "Now the government is doing its own design and we will see if they agree," says Krise.
In addition to the turbo-alternator and power management, the company will provide the heat rejection subsystem and the Xenon propellant tanks for the ion engines. In addition to its experience providing systems for the Space Shuttle and International Space Station, Hamilton Sundstrand is drawing on its aircraft APU and power generation system technology.
GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
