Physical Sciences Inc. Publications Abstract: Solar Energy System for In-Situ Resource Utilization

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Abstract: Solar Energy System for In-Situ Resource Utilization

Takashi Nakamura, Constance Senior, "Solar Energy System for In-Situ Resource Utilization ," presented at AIAA Space 2004 Conference and Exhibit (San Diego, CA) , (28-30 September2004).

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Abstract

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been developing the Optical Waveguide (OW) system for solar energy utilization. In this system, solar radiation is collected by the concentrator which transfers the concentrated solar radiation to the OW transmission line. The OW transmission line transports the solar radiation to the location of solar energy utilization. The first embodiment of the OW system discussed above was implemented for lunar material processing with funding from NASA/JSC (SBIR Phase I and II). In this program, we developed an engineering prototype of the solar energy system for thermochemical reduction of lunar oxide. The product oxygen is to be used as a propellant for space transportation. In this paper we will present the recent progress of the solar thermal power source being developed at PSI, and discuss potential applications of the system to Lunar ISRU processes.

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