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Power
Power
Power technologies enable elements and assets to sustain nominal operations in extreme environments. This includes power generation, energy storage, power management, and distribution. Power connections enable the transfer of power from asset to asset via physical contact or wireless connection. The technologies listed below are those that may be particularly useful for logistics.
| Civil Space Shortfalls | SF02 |
| ESDMD Architecture-Driven Technology Gaps | 0301, 0901, 0903 |
| Primary Technology Taxonomy | TX03 |
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Power Standard Development
Advanced Energy Management System
 | Description Autonomous energy management capability for future lunar and Martian surface power networks, including bi-directional power transfer coordination Potential Use Cases Logistics element/asset power sharing and transfer with power assets TRL: 3 Intended Environment: Moon, Mars Technology Source: NASA Discover More at TechPort  |
Advanced Modular Power Systems
 | Description Development of electronic modules which, when combined with standardized interfaces and chassis, provides commonality across a variety of exploration vehicles for future NASA missions Potential Use Cases Standardized power components for logistics elements/assets TRL: 4 Intended Environment: Moon, Mars Technology Source: NASA Discover More at TechPort |
Surface Power Exchange Vehicle Interface
 | Description Establishing a unified, bidirectional 6 kW (120 V, 50 A) power interface for all lunar and future Martian surface elements Potential Use Cases Standardized power interfaces for logistics elements/assets TRL: 4 Intended Environment: Moon, Mars Technology Source: NASA Discover More at TechPort |
Power Generation
Ultraflex Solar Array
 | Description Large, deployable, scalable, low-mass solar array (2-m-diameter Phoenix Mars lander) Potential Use Cases On-orbit or surface solar power generation, post landing sustainment TRL: 9 Intended Environment: Mars Technology Source: NASA-Industry Partnership Discover More by Reading the UltraFlex and MegaFlex (pdf) |
Radioisotope Power Systems
 | Description For questions regarding the Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG), Lightweight Radioisotope Heater Units (LWRHUs), or Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) in development, please contact NASA’s Radioisotope Power Systems Program Discover More at the Radioisotope Power Systems Program Page |
Power Connectors
Dust-Tolerant Automated Umbilical (DTAU)
 | Description Dust tolerant, multi-functional automated umbilical for fluid and power transfer in surface environments Potential Use Cases Automated fluid transfer (including cryogens), automated power transfer TRL: 4 Intended Environment: Moon, Mars Technology Source: NASA Discover More by Reading Developing a New Space Economy (pdf) |
Resonant Transformer Connectors for High Voltage Transmission Lines (Yank Technologies)
| Description Dust-proof, high-voltage connectors for Moon and Mars power systems. Interface with high-voltage, three-phase 2 kV AC transmission lines to provide 1 kW power Potential Use Cases Power grids in dusty environment, long duration power operations TRL: 4 Intended Environment: Moon, Mars Technology Source: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Discover More at TechPort |
Universal Modular Interface Converter (UMIC)
 | Description 10 kW bi-directional power converter that allows low-mass, long-distance power transmission Potential Use Cases Post-landing sustainment TRL: 4 Intended Environment: Low Earth Orbit, Moon, Mars Technology Source: NASA Discover More at TechPort |
Dust Tolerant Connector (Honeybee Robotics)
 | Description Reusable electrical connector tested in relevant lunar vacuum, thermal, and regolith conditions Potential Use Cases Dust tolerant power connections between logistics assets/elements TRL: 5 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Discover More on Dust Tolerant Connector Capabilities (pdf) |
Power Transmission
Low Mass, High Voltage Cables for Long Distance Lunar Power Distribution (Astrobotic)
 | Description: Cable and reel system designed with dust tolerant components capable of interfacing with a wide range of surface technologies (10 kV DC and 10 kW cabling up to 4 km) Potential Use Cases: High voltage power distribution, connecting power nodes, long distance cabling TRL: 6 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Discover More at TechPort |
Modular Interface Converter for Planetary Surfaces (MIPS) Power Cable
 | Description: Cable assembly enabling power transmission between UMICs over 1 km to 3 km distance, >10 kW transmission at 3 kV Potential Use Cases: Post-landing sustainment TRL: 5 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: NASA Discover More at TechPort |
Ultra Fast Proximity Charging (CLPS Rovers)
 | Description: Lightweight, ultra-fast in-space proximity (wireless) charging technology capable of withstanding harsh environments Potential Use Cases: Survive the night, reliable charging TRL: 5 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: NASA Discover More at TechPort |
Tethered Ultralight Intelligent Power System (TULIPS)
 | Description: TULIPS is a complete tethered power and communications system, using medium voltage DC to efficiently transfer power on ultralight cables. It provides power conversion (up to 10 kW), communications (1 Gb/s), cables, and cable deployers to connect surface power generation to loads kilometers away Potential Use Cases: Lunar surface power transmission and distribution, bi- directional vehicle charging, permanently shadowed regions access, CLPS power as a service TRL: 5 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: NASA-Industry Partnership Discover More at TechPort |
Tethered Power Systems for Lunar Mobility and Power Transmission (TYMPO)
 | Description: Tether-based power transmission system to provide power (100 W – 10 kW) over several meters to several kilometers to serve remote loads Potential Use Cases: High voltage power distribution, connecting power nodes, long distance cabling. Power density >2 W/cm3, Specific Power >1 kW/kg TRL: 4 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: NASA-Industry Partnership Discover More at TechPort |
Lunagrid-Lite (Astrobotic)
 | Description: Lunar demo of long-distance (100 m – 500 m), high power (1 kW) transmission system leveraging vertical solar arrays, rovers, and landers Potential Use Cases: Survive the night, wireless charging, power delivery, high power transfer TRL: 4 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: NASA-Industry Partnership Discover More at TechPort |
Energy Storage
Regenerative Fuel Cell (RFC)
 | Description: Energy storage system technology that can provide sustained and reliable electrical power for surface and near surface missions where photovoltaics/battery or nuclear options may not be feasible Potential Use Cases: Logistics element/asset energy storage, high specific energy capability (>320 W•hr/kg) TRL: 4 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: NASA-Industry Partnership Discover More at TechPort |
