Nebula Public Library

During this activity, we were able to evaluate our electrochemical system with respect to: (i) silicon anode fabricated at an industrial scale equipment, (ii) pouch cells that were manufactured at different suppliers and tested by Airbus Defence and Space, and (iii) safety protocols.

In addition, we showed that standard graphitic-based chemistry cannot operate at low temperatures. Finally, we evaluated the Cost of Ownership of our products.

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

Several hundred mission scenarios were analysed with a high level of detail both at mission analysis and mass budget level, to properly identify robust and feasible solutions. Three of them make use of both staging and aero-braking to reduce the spacecraft wet mass (mass with fuel), and they all rely either on chemical propulsion or on a mixed system combining a chemical engine with two very powerful electrical thrusters (ARM engines).

Global plans for exploratory missions aim at extending the distances travelled by humans well beyond low Earth orbit and establishing permanent bases on the surface of Moon and Mars [1]. This will inevitably lead to increasing mission duration, radiation intensity, gravity levels and degree of confinement and isolation to which the crews will be exposed. In this extended space mission context, the astronauts should have the means to collect medical/physiological data in order to understand if their physiological conditions are in nominal levels.