Humankind tested its capacity to survive on the Moon’s surface for short periods of time through the Apollo missions almost 50 years ago. Since then, robotic missions to the Moon have spent periods lasting several days and nights on the satellite. However, many technological challenges arise when planning a lunar (robotic and/or manned) mission that is fully operational during the night. Among these challenges, the need for a power supply system for both day and night remains open.

Thales Alenia Space is currently developing a flexible solar array, for future generation of telecom or observation satellites. As part of this roadmap, the PVA-Flexible-Pioneer project is the first de-risking project for Thales Alenia Space in Belgium, to develop a modular flexible PVA (PhotoVoltaic Assembly).

Within the PPU development for a T5 thruster from QinetiQ the Beam Power Supply was identified as the major critical functional block in terms of using planar transformers and GaN transistors in combination with digital control at switching frequencies of up to 1 MHz. Due to this it was agreed to de-risk the development of this functional block for a potential T5 PPU development.

The performance of the Beam Power Supply has been successfully validated.

The development of manufacturing processes to obtain ultra-thin cells (20-80 microns) is of paramount importance to achieve a significant mass reduction without reducing the fabrication yield. In order to achieve this goal, it is required the interaction of two different technological processes: epitaxial lift-off and layer transfer. The epitaxial lift-off consists in the separation of the active layers (those responsible for the operation of the solar cell) from the substrate, in a way that the latter can be reused.

The need of integrated PoL conversion solution is linked with the appearance of advanced digital technologies, to be used in all ESA and non-ESA space programs.

At the end of its operational life a spacecraft undergoes a disposal phase and as a result is left without control. Then the battery may be subject to extreme environmental conditions due to the loss of spacecraft attitude and thermal control. Battery overdischarge or overcharge may also occur.

Spasolab was created in 1984, at INTA (E) premises, as an ESA external laboratory dedicated to Solar Cell and Panels Testing. The laboratory aimed at supporting ESA programmes and activities at different maturity levels, ranging from the development to the production phases, throughout the design and qualification ones.A list of Spasolab solar cell test laboratory capabilities is provided in the following:? Complete characterisation of space of Space Silicon and Gallium Arsenide solar cells (Type approval tests).?

The scope of this study was to investigate the possibility of designing a wireless power transfer system from the lander to the rover, based on laser technology, to:

• Avoid the use of nuclear power systems, such as the plutonium Multi Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) accommodated onboard the NASA/JPL MSL Curiosity Rover, due to the constraints imposed by the use of radioactive materials

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