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SOLAR THERMAL
PROPULSION
Presented by
SHIJIN S K
S7 ME
Roll No 4419

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INTRODUCTION

STP conceived in 1956 by Kraft Echrike.
Space craft propulsion.
Does not require development of the power
source.
STP system uses soar energy directly as heat.
INTRODUCTION (Contd)

STP effectively bridges the performance gap
between chemical and electric propulsion.
Requires only one propellant.
Moderate thrust, propellant efficiency.
Hydrogen used as the propellant
ELEMENTS OF STP SPACE
CRAFT
Mainly 3 components.

Concentrator
Sunlight concentrated by a lens or mirror.
Thruster
Heats and expands propellant to produce
thrust.
Propellant system.
Stores cryogenic propellant. (diagram )
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS

Two concentrator designs
Rigid concentrators
Inflatable concentrators
Applications of concentrators
INFLATED
CONCENTRATORS

It consists of two reflectors
Reflectors are symmetrical and bounded at their
edges
Reflector components
Reflective membrane
Transparent membrane (fig )
Inflatable concentrator
ABSORBER AND THRUSTER

Absorber function as a heat exchanger
Transport of high intensity solar flux to the solar
receiver via optical fiber cable.
Solar receiver core is made of graphite cylinder.
Graphite core is surrounded by the
molybdenum tube.
Optical fiber cable quartz rod.

WORKING OF STP SPACE
CRAFT

STP system consists of two off axis solar
concentrators.
Optical waveguide transmission line.
Propellant gas injected tangentially into the
graphite cylinder.
Expansion through a nozzle. (fig )

PROPELLANT HEATING

Two ways to heat the propellant.

Indirect Method.

Direct Method.



INDIRECT METHOD

When sunlight is passed, propellant flow
through pipes.
Passages in the wall of a windowless heating
cavity.
Propellant gas expands through a nozzle.
(Fig )
INDIRECT METHOD
DIRECT METHOD

Propellant flow through windowed heating
chamber.
Cylindrical rotating chamber rotates so that
centrifugal force keeps the sand or seeds.
Choice of seeds.
(Fig )
DIRECT METHOD
SOLAR THERMAL
PROPULSIONCONCEPTS


Two system level approaches
Direct gain approach
Thermal storage concept
DIRECT GAIN CONCEPT

Solar energy is collected by inflated
concentrators.
Use sunlight directly.
No need of thermal storage medium .
Specific impulse is less.
THERMAL STORAGE
CONCEPT

It simplifies sun orientation and sun trickling
Higher thrust with smaller concentrators
Thermal storage medium
Specific impulse depends on storage
temperature

SOLAR THERMAL
PROPULSION
Prepared by
Shiblemon K.V
Roll no : 50
SPECIFICATION
Propellant hydrogen.
Maximum temp - 2300K to 2400K.
Chamber pressure 20 to 25 psia.
Nozzle area ratio 100:1.
Thrust 100 N.
Specific impulse 750 to 800 sec.
COMPARISON OF
DIFFERENT THRUSTERS


Liquid thruster
Solid thruster
Solar thermal thruster
TECHNOLOGIES UNDER
DEVELOPING FOR STP

High temperature heat exchangers
Low cost manufacturing of high performance
components
Long term cryogenic hydrogen storage
Light weight, less rigid structures
BENEFITS OF SOLAR
THERMAL PROPULSION

Higher payload fraction
Higher specific impulse
Higher thrust to weight ratio
Space solar power
Low cost for interplanetary travel and
unmanned exploration
LIMITATIONS OF SOLAR
THERMAL PROPULSION


Relatively lower thrust
Less efficient places where sunlight intensity low
Ground level testing
CONCLUSION

Less expensive, much simpler, more efficient.
Missions to the moon and mars as well as
boosting payloads to higher orbit.
Solar absorber, thruster and inflated
concentrated technology development have
continued to be advanced under AFRL over the
last 20 years.

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