Multifunctional Power Structures and Related Thermal Issues

Multifunctional spacecraft power structures are an incorporation of energy storage and generation into structures on a spacecraft. For the mass and volume saving benefits to be realised, the technology must be shown to be viable throughout the spacecraft’s lifetime. Firstly, commercially available batteries where built into a structural panel and tested to determine the battery’s capability to withstand the manufacturing cycle and the effect upon the mechanical characteristics of the panel. Secondly, a mathematical model was created to determine the temperatures a battery would experience in various earth orbits. It was found that spacecraft in most low earth orbits will require thermal control and that the addition of a phase change material is a feasible control solution.