High-Level Project Summary
The Venus lander is driven by Radioisotope power system, it involves a Radio Active core provide electrical power for spacecraft by converting the heat generated by the decay of plutonium-238 (Pu-238) fuel into electricity using devices called thermocouples. This system operates at a temperature of 1000 degrees Celsius, which is comparatively higher than the atmospheric temperature of Venus. So, in order to cool it we should be placing a condenser system but it puts extra weight and work in case of liquid cooling system. To overcome this we are using a split ring mechanism which absorbs the heat as IR radiation and repowers the system by conserving energy to the maximum extent.
Link to Final Project
Link to Project "Demo"
Detailed Project Description
Venus being the hottest planet among all in our solar system, it is difficult to send a lander onto it in order to perform any scientific experiments. Even if we design an energy system the primary subject is understanding the atmospheric behavior of Venus. There are many dependent variables like temperature, atmospheric pressure, presence of corrosive gases and most importantly uneven weather conditions making it difficult for a man or a machine to sustain for a period of few hours. To tackle this hurdles we've come up with one of the possible solutions to power a lander over Venus. It uses a RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEM which has been used earlier in the Curiosity Mars Rover. The mechanism starts with continuous decay of the radioactive nuclei of plutonium-238 (Pu-238) from which constant heat is generated, this heat is used by thermoelectric generators for the production of energy to the lander system. As it has no moving parts the system is reliable to use. The entire system is preserved in a chamber of stainless steel alloy, which protects it from the external factors. The work done by radiated heat constantly increases on the system, instead of disposing the heat into the surroundings most of the portion is converted into IR radiation using the Split-Ring resonator, that utilizes this heat energy to power the system. This avoids the placement of a liquid cooling system thus reducing the number of moving parts and work done by the system. This mechanism couldn't increase the efficiency of the thermoelectric generator but on a complete scale it will be making use of the dissipated energy.
Space Agency Data
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/cassini/radioisotope-thermoelectric-generator/
https://rps.nasa.gov/power-and-thermal-systems/power-systems/
Hackathon Journey
It all began with finding teammates with common interests. Before getting started we had realized that understanding the challenge is more necessary than finding a solution for it. I and one of my teammates were involved with energy systems, especially with Photovoltaics but we had learnt that the existing technology couldn't let them for a span of 60 days on the surface of Venus. We had multiple brainstorming sessions, and at one point we had come up with a conclusion with RADIO ISOTOPE POWER SYSTEM, we had thought of making it work with less moving parts. So cooling system must be removed, but condensing the system became a challenge for us. Then we had thought instead of condensing it why don't we use the unused heat energy. At that time we had gone through many sources and had came across Split Ring mechanism as a solution for our problem statement.
References
- https://spie.org/news/5129-a-metamaterial-to-convert-heat-to-light?SSO=1#:~:text=An%20array%20of%20split%2Dring,radiation%20to%20power%20thermophotovoltaic%20systems
- (Jul. 2018). Thermal radiation. Britannica
- . Retrieved from www.britannica.com/science/thermal-radiation
Furtak, M.; Silecky, L. (2012). "Evaluation of Onset to Second Degree Burn Energy in Arc Flash, IAEI".
- "Request for Participation Summer 2005 Demand Shifting with Thermal Mass" (PDF). Demand Response Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 26 November 2007.
- Pentland, W. (May. 2018). Micro-Fission Reactor Moves Closer To Powering Settlements On Mars.
- "VOYAGER 2:Host Information". NASA. 1989. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- "Voyager 2 Craft Details". NASA-NSSDC-Spacecraft-Details . NASA. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
- Furlong, Richard R.; Wahlquist, Earl J. (1999). "U.S. space missions using radioisotope power systems" (PDF).
- "Spacecraft Lifetime". JPL. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
- "VOYAGER 1:Host Information". JPL. 1989. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- "Mars Exploration: Radioisotope Power and Heating for Mars Surface Exploration" (PDF). NASA/JPL. April 18, 2006. Retrieved September 7, 2009.
Tags
#venus