Comparative Study of Methods of Supplying Power to the Lunar Base

In recent years, space development has been actively promoted by private companies entering the space industry, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is implementing the first manned lunar exploration program since the Apollo program (Artemis program). This project aims to survey the resources of the Antarctic region, construct a base to serve as a relay station for a manned Mars mission, and conduct sustainable activities on the Moon's surface. Electricity is necessary to create a habitable environment for human beings in the special environment on the Moon. The cost of transporting electricity to the lunar surface is approximately 700,000 US dollars/kg, and the cost of nighttime energy supply technology, which can supply energy for up to 360 hours during the night, is approximately 700,000 US dollars/kg, so a high energy density power generation method is a challenge. In this study, we investigated a method to supply the power necessary for four people to stay at the lunar base, assuming the initial stage of manned exploration. Photovoltaic power generation, solar thermal power generation, and a small nuclear reactor were compared as supply methods, and lithium-ion batteries were assumed to be used to store energy during the time when power demand is not met. The comparison items were weight, energy density, supply duration, service life, cost per year, and number of transports, and the optimal power supply method at the lunar base was examined. The photovoltaic power generation system weighed approximately 89.87 tons, had an energy density of 385.22 Whiton, a supply duration of 414 hours, a service life of 15 years, a cost per year of approximately 4.263 billion dollars, and a frequency of transportation of 0.90 times. Solar thermal power generation weighs approximately 175.82 tons, has an energy density of 196.90 Whiton, a supply duration of 337 hours, and a service life of 10 years, at a cost of approximately $12.511 billion per year, and 1.76 transport cycles. The small reactor weighed approximately 28.93 tons, had an energy density of 1196.48 Whiton, a supply duration of 420 hours, and a service life of 15 years, with a cost per year of approximately $1.373 billion and 0.29 transport cycles. In all items, the supply method using small nuclear reactors was superior, and the result showed that small nuclear reactors were the best method of supplying electricity to the lunar base.