High-Level Project Summary
Our challenge was to design an energy storage system that will power a surface lander or rover on the surface of Venus for at least 60 days, so that there was an aviable energy storage capability for long-duration exploration missions. Our solution is the AllC hybrid system, which works on the principle of charging for a vacuum cleaner: the platform receives energy from two sources by our "umbrellas". This project is important, as it will significantly increase the duration of research missions to Venus.
Link to Final Project
Link to Project "Demo"
Detailed Project Description
We are the young cosmic generation from the Odesa Polytechnic National University.
The problem with this challenge is that none of the spacecraft were able to stay on the planet for more than 2 hours. The reasons are the cruel conditions of the planet: CO2 pressure over 90 bar, temperature about 500 °C, stormy winds above the surface. In addition, it is not possible to use sunlight and ordinary batteries for power.
This is why we needed to consider all possible options and find an alternative power supply.
Our solution is the AllC hybrid system, which works on the principle of charging for a vacuum cleaner: the platform receives energy from two sources. The first source is "umbrellas" covered with cobalt and cobalt oxide (withstand temperatures up to 1500 C); absorb CO2 and convert it into electricity, in addition, cobalt and cobalt oxide act as a catalyst and do not need to be regenerated. The second source - "thermal energy fabric" (lead tellurite), which covers the "box" and the outer part of the "umbrellas" - absorbs heat from the atmosphere and from the surface of Venus and also produces electricity. In addition, thanks to it, the temperature in the middle of the box is reduced.
Today's technology allows CO2 to be made into fuel by burning it to generate electricity, but we believe that in the near future, technology will allow converting CO2 into electricity directly.
Our interest in this challenge is dictated by our interest in the development of space technologies and scientific discoveries. The study of planets and their environment is not possible without energy supply. Time passes, and not a single spacecraft has survived on the surface of Venus, so maybe our time has come!
Space Agency Data
We did not use any scientific data from NASA. We read, watched and leaned A LOT from NASA's web pages and videos.
Hackathon Journey
While working on the challenge, we learned more about the planet Venus: its features, uniqueness, and the danger it poses to spacecraft. Because of this, we have explored all possible options for using the imperfections of the atmosphere in order to create a battery that stores energy for 60 or more days. This challenge was chosen by us because of its importance - the study of the planet Venus, which is both similar and unlike our Earth. During the project, we used several approaches: from a practical point of view and from the side of fantasy, because what is impossible now will be possible in the next few years. With each failure, our team arranged a brainstorming session, where they threw more and more new ideas, tested their guesses and built theories. We want to thank NASA, the organizers from Kyiv and our teacher for the opportunity to participate in such a competition and learn something new, step into space.
References
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/venus/overview/
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a18861/breakthrough-material-is-a-better-way-to-turn-co2-into-fuel/
http://mentallandscape.com/V_Venera11.htm
Tags
#Venus #students #teamwork #battery #power