Aerojet Rocketdyne has completed tests on a prototype PowerTrain system designed to improve power capabilities of solar electric propulsion (SEP) spacecraft.
The system was tested in a simulated mission environment at Aerojet Rocketdyne’s facility in Los Angeles, California, US.
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It will enhance power transmission from solar arrays to the high-power electric thrusters on the spacecraft, the company said.
The trial is part of an effort to demonstrate the system’s capabilities of achieving improved efficiency, over existing power management and distribution (PMAD) approaches on satellites.
Aerojet Rocketdyne advanced space and launch programmes vice-president Julie Van Kleeck said: "For high-power SEP modules such as those that Nasa envisions for transporting cargo to Mars, it will be critical to efficiently process and deliver the power from the advanced solar arrays to the high-power electric propulsion thrusters on spacecraft.
"This is a critical step toward achieving that goal as we prepare to journey further into space."
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By GlobalDataDeveloped using Aerojet’s breadboard power conditioning modules, the PowerTrain SEP system is said to be compatible with the existing and future Hall propulsion systems.
The system uses a peak power tracking capability to increase efficiency of a vehicle electrical system.
Aerojet Rocketdyne develops the majority of International Space Station power-system hardware at its Los Angeles facility.
Earlier this month, the company completed initial on-orbit validation testing of XR-5A Hall Thruster on the unmanned X-37 spacecraft.
Aerojet Rocketdyne provides propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defence and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments.
