One of the key disturbances to the test masses in space gravitational wave detectors and other free-fall experiments is the electrostatic charge induced in them through interactions with penetrating charged particles and their secondaries. The masses are normally behind heavy shielding and as charged particles penetrate, they slow, scatter and create a range of secondary particles through a variety of physical processes. As a consequence, the accurate tallying of the net charge is a complex and difficult problem.

A Radio Voltaic Power Supply (RVPSTM) aims to provide electronics self-heating as well as continuous micropower for decades, supporting long duration missions and sensor applications.

Under this activity, a novel Diamond-based RVPS has been modelled, technology matured, and fabricated, incorporating the beta-emitting radioisotope carbon-14 within the device semiconductor lattice.

Background and justification:

• The use of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies in the Space sector is gaining traction, although it is necessary to find new use cases and develop them up to TRL7 or TRL9 to be meaningful
• The Spanish Space industry has important actors with high knowledge of their products and sector that could benefit from the experience CiTD and CATEC have in AM and improve their products through the use of these technologies

 Achievements and status:

N/A