Evaluation of power generation system architectures for manned Mars missions

Abstract

This work applies a systems approach to architectural definition, development and selection of power generating concepts capable of supporting a 20 crewmember Mars mission by the year 2040. The thesis confirms that current thin film solar technology is sufficient to sustain this mission, given the base of operations is located in the northern hemisphere (20°N-30°N) and is using regenerative fuel cells as an energy storage medium. Beyond those latitudes, calculations for a combination of thin film solar and a nuclear Brayton cycle architecture is needed to maintain sufficient power. The problem definition process is achieved through domain exploration, functional decompositions, and mapping the process functions to their objects of form. The thesis then identifies the constraints developed by the MIT Mars 2040 Project team and develops a sizing algorithm for the combined nuclear-solar systems dependent upon Martian latitudes. The highest scoring site location was Mawrth Vallis (22.6°N) for thin film solar system with regenerative fuels cells that can produce 239 kWe of power. The sizing model developed here is integrated into the Mars project's comprehensive system model, which uses the calculated mass and volume values as inputs for their tradespace designs.