Power Subsystems

Contents
Introduction
Power subsystems are critical for human spaceflight to provide the essential energy needed to support life, operate spacecraft subsystems, conduct scientific experiments, and ensure communication, ensuring the sustainability and success of space missions. Johnson Space Center (JSC) provides test facilities and skilled personnel for many of the fluid and energy conversion systems required for human exploration and development in space, including power generation and storage, fluid storage and distribution, and electromechanical and hydraulic actuation. JSC test capabilities include battery performance, abuse and lifecycle, power distribution system, fuel cell & electrolysis, high voltage and corona detection, connector and wire, and power quality. Power and battery systems experts at JSC are at the forefront of human spaceflight exploration, providing integrated power system verification and off-nominal power testing. Our comprehensive capabilities span hazardous vibration testing, high temperature exposure, and EMI/EMC evaluation and certification for human spaceflight. We invite our partners to leverage our advanced power subsystem capabilities, ensuring reliable and efficient energy solutions for collaborative endeavors in space exploration and mission success.
Capabilities
Automated Power Quality Testing
Overview | Automated power quality testing provides tests of automated power systems for unmanned and manned programs.
Details |
- Rapid Regression Testing to quickly identify impacts of configuration changes to flight power systems
- Rapid Test Development using preexisting test configurations developed by subject matter experts
Battery Stockpile
Overview | A hardware stockpile of high-specification aerospace batteries.
Details | JSC’s Power and Propulsion Division (EP) houses a large stockpile of aerospace batteries built to exacting specification for spaceflight, aerospace, and military applications. These batteries have extremely long-lead time (multiple years) from industry; therefore, having a stockpile of available hardware provides an extremely valuable resource both for in-house projects and for external partnerships. These batteries also require dedicated controlled environment storage and regular monitoring by experienced individuals, a capability which the Power and Propulsion Division provides.
Battery Systems Test, Design, and Analysis
Overview | The development, engineering evaluation, acceptance, and flight qualification testing of dedicated high-spec batteries as needed for spaceflight is available.
Details |
- Capability to test a variety of battery Cell Chemistries (Alkaline, Li-on, NiMh, Pb-Acid)
- Battery Performance Testing and abuse testing including on-limit conditions and off-nominal failed or damaged conditions
- Battery thermal runaway propagation
Fuel Cell & Electrolysis Testing
Overview | NASA JSC has expertise in various (high & low temperature) electrochemistry, design, system integration and test of fuel cell & electrolysis systems.
Details |
- Balance of Plant Assembly
- System Operations
- Performance Evaluations in Relevant Environments
- JSC provides test facilities and services for fuel cell & electrolysis from subsystem/system testing through flight:
- Vibration
- Pyro Shock
- Thermal Vacuum
- Dust Exposure
- Oxygen and Hydrogen Testing
- Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System Performance
- Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Performance
- Solid Oxide Electrolyzer System Performance
- PEM Water Electrolyzer System Performance
Fuel Cell & Electrolysis System Level Expertise
Overview | Fuel cell and electrolysis expertise is available covering legacy space rated hardware, modeling, system sizing, and development and evaluation of complete fuel cell / electrolysis systems.
Details | NASA JSC’s fuel cell and electrolysis team has the capability to evaluate, consult, and make recommendations on complete fuel cell / electrolysis systems. The team also contains the expertise to assist with failure investigations. In addition, the team generates and maintains models that are utilized for trade studies on feasibility and system sizing.
Integrated Power System Verification Testing
Overview | NASA JSC Power and Propulsion Division provides integrated power system verification testing of flight power systems.
Details | NASA JSC Power and Propulsion Division personnel offer testing of electrical power systems using simulated or actual flight hardware to generate loads and simulate running conditions as well as providing subject matter insight on test conditions.
Off-Nominal Power Testing
Overview | NASA JSC provides dedicated tests of flight power systems in predicted failure modes or other off-nominal conditions.
Details |
- Envelope Limit Testing of Hardware in System Level Test Environment
- Fault Injection Scenarios in True Off-Nominal Conditions
Power and Battery Production
Overview | NASA JSC provides the rapid manufacturing and production of flight battery hardware as government furnished equipment (GFE).
Details | NASA JSC power and battery production team can rapidly manufacture and produce bespoke flight battery system hardware using their unique expertise. This capability does not exist at other NASA Centers.
Wide Range Dedicated Battery Systems Testing Abilities
Overview | Dedicated as needed testing and evaluation of spaceflight battery systems for flight qualification, design evaluation, and other highly specialized needs.
Details |
- Low Current/Voltage to High Current/Voltage
- Constant Voltage, Current, and Power Modes Provided
- Long-term and Short-term cycling
- Determination of Optimal Charge and Discharge Rates
- Thermal Capacities/Vacuum Tolerance
- Hazardous Vibration test Stand
- High Temperature Exposure and Heat-to-Vent Testing
- Over Charge and Over Discharge Characterization
- Positive Temperature Coefficient Failure Testing
- Short Circuit Testing
- Crush and Drop Testing
- Destructive Physical Analysis
Cable Transfer Impedance and Equipment Shielding Effectiveness Assessment
Overview | The cable transfer impedance and equipment shielding effectiveness assessment is available.
Details |
- Testing and measurement of shielding effectiveness of materials
- Capability for quantifying cable coupling and transfer impedance
Conducted and Radiated Emissions and Susceptibility Testing
Overview | The JSC EMI Test Facility (JETF) is comprised of two independent shielded test facilities. The JSC EMI Test Facility (JETF) performs testing of systems and subsystems according to MIL-STD 461G requirements. Consultation services can also be arranged for developing a suitable test plan to meet imposed test requirements.
Details |
- The two independent shielded test facilities have dimensions: 23 feet x 18 feet x 10 feet and 10 feet x 16 feet x 8.5 feet
- Larger Equipment Under Test (EUT) assessments can be accommodated but require additional coordination
Related Patents
Battery Charge Equalizer System