MICHAEL PHELAN / LONDON
UK research agency Qinetiq is to study power generation on Mars as part of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Aurora programme. The project seeks to identify power generation and storage technologies to support exploration on the planet's surface, and is focusing on the use of nuclear reactors as the most appropriate solution.
ESA last year began the Aurora technology development project to outline Europe's robotic and human exploration of the moon, Mars and the asteroids over the next 30 years, and Mars is the primary target for future human missions.
Qinetiq estimates that astronauts and equipment on Mars would need 50-100kW of consistent, reliable power for conducting experiments, exploring the surface in rovers and other units, and running critical life-support systems.
Hazel McAndrews, project manager and space scientist at Qinetiq, says a nuclear solution is being studied, after other systems have been discounted as impractical. "Atmospheric dust and low solar energy intensity at such distances from the sun mean that solar power generation would be impractical on the planet's surface," she says, "and wind turbines would provide inconsistent power output."
Qinetiq will lead a consortium comprising AEA Technology, nuclear technology expert Serco Assurance, small satellite developer Surrey Satellites Technology and nuclear propulsion specialist Technicatome. Qinetiq will provide specialist space knowledge as well as outline a technology development roadmap for ESA. The project's initial phase runs until year-end, by which time Qinetiq will advise ESA on the feasibility of power generation on Mars using current technology available within Europe.
Potential future applications include power generation and storage in space. One aspect also being investigated "at a top-level only" is the logistics of getting a reactor into space, and the consequences of a launch failure or loss of the payload in the sea.
Source: Flight International
