Comparison of solar photovoltaic and nuclear reactor power systems for a human-tended lunar observatory

In a study for the NASA Office of Exploration, photovoltaic (PV) and nuclear surface power systems in the 20 to 100 kW/sub e/ range were examined for use at a human-tended lunar astronomical observatory, and estimates of the power system masses were made. The candidate systems consisted of three photovoltaic arrays with gaseous reactant RFC storage, a GaAs PV power system with cryogenic reactant RFC storage, a nuclear power system with Stirling cycle energy conversion, and a nuclear power system with thermoelectric energy conversion. The last system, consisting of a completely assembled SP-100 nuclear reactor power system using thermoelectric conversion and integrated with a lunar lander, is recommended for further study due to its low system mass, potential for modular growth, and applicability to other surface power missions, particularly in the Martian system.<>