High Temperature Superconductivity Technology for Advanced Space Power Systems KARL A. FAYMON, IRA T. MYERS & DENIS J. CONNOLLY Summary In 1987, the Lewis Research center of the NASA and the Argonne National Laboratory of the Department of Energy joined in a cooperative program to identify and assess high payoff space and aeronautical applications of high temperature superconductivity (HTSC). The initial emphasis of this effort was limited, and those space power related applications which were considered included microwave power transmission and magnetic energy storage. The results of these initial studies were encouraging and indicated the need of further studies. A continuing collaborative program with Argonne National Laboratory has been formulated and the Lewis Research Center is presently structuring a program to further evaluate HTSC, identify applications and define the requisite technology development programs for space power systems. This paper discusses some preliminary results of the previous evaluations in the area of space power applications of HTSC which were carried out under the joint NASA-DOE program, the future NASA-Lewis proposed program, its thrusts, and its intended outputs and give general insights on the anticipated impact of HTSC for space power applications of the future. Introduction In the 1960s and again in 1978 [1] NASA sponsored efforts to assess the field of superconductivity for a wide range of space and related applications. This and ensuing studies indicated that superconductivity technology when applied to space power systems and their components had potential for significant benefits. These efforts considered conventional (helium cooled) superconductivity. Also, these efforts were technology evaluation studies and not ‘total systems’ studies of systems utilizing HTSC and therefore the true impact of HTSC was not assessed. The advent of High Temperature Superconductivity (HTSC) makes this technology even more attractive for a wide variety of applications because of the possible relaxed cooling requirements. In 1987, the Lewis Research Center and the Argonne National Laboratory joined in a program to identify and evaluate high payoff space and aeronautical applications of HTSC. The initial emphasis of this program was on: magneto-plasma dynamic (MPD) propulsion systems; microwave power transmission; Karl A. Faymon & Ira T. Myers, Power Technology Division and Denis J. Connolly, Space Electronics Division, NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135, USA.
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