Dream Team UPAP

Querétaro | Exploring Venus Together

Charging Venus

High-Level Project Summary

Options for batteries for harsh enviroment applications were researched. A peltier module is used as an auxiliar power source during the descent in conjuction with a NaS battery to power the Rover in Venus surface. The p-type semiconductor used in the peltier module is a half-Heusler NbxTi1-xFeSb. Austenic steel plates and quartz ceramic plates are used to protect the battery and systems.

Link to Final Project

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/197B_l-zU0DtL8TgWp_FgP-qVU18Ti3xu?usp=sharing

Link to Project "Demo"

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oaPl21xu-x7hZuZ2RKNYE3nxbRAIGaQ8?usp=sharing

Detailed Project Description

It is well known that Venus atmosphere is really harsh, and causes that the conventional technology used in Li-ion batteries cannot be employed, because their operation temperature at 60 C causes a 31% discharge of the battery. During the literature and available data from NASA researhc, if is concluded that a novel NaS battery with beta alumina solid state oxide electrolyte should be used as a power source for Rover missions on the surface on Venus, due to their power outputs, efficiency and operating temperature ranges. An auxliary Peltier module is used as power source during the descent of the Rover, due to the very high temperatures reached on the surface and during the descent. The p-type material used for the Peltier module is a half-Heusler NbxTi1-xFeSb and the n-type material is Bi2Te3. For protection of the systems against the corrosive atmosphere composed of sulfuric acid, austenitic stainless steel is used. In addition, a quartz ceramic plate is used as a thermal and chemical insulator for protection of the modules.

Space Agency Data

The information provided by the challenge was used:

Like the conditions in which Venus is found, for example the maximum temperatures that it can reach on its surface, the composition of its atmosphere.

In addition to the previous missions that were carried out in the past, the duration times of each mission.

The different energy storage sources that were used in other missions as a guide to what they can generate or consume energy and their structure.

The proposed solution was made from previous missions that had very low lifetimes, future space travel, and above all the curiosity to know what we can contribute to science.