Chapter 6
Power Technology of Lunar Lander
6.1 Introduction
The power system of the lunar lander was responsible for generation, storage and
controlling of electrical power [1]. During launch, LTO, circumlunar and operation
on lunar surface, the electric power was provided continuously and stably by the
power system.
In the Sun light period, the power system generated electricity on photovoltaic
effect of solar cells to provide electrical power for the lunar lander and charge battery
pack. At the same time, the excess electrical power generated by solar cells was
shunted and converted into thermal energy for heat dissipation. In the shadow period,
the battery pack discharged to the main bus to power the lunar lander through regulation and control. The power system controlled and regulated power source, managed
battery charge and discharge according to the predefined design, and provided stable,
continuous and high quality power to the lunar lander during flight.
Lunar environment is extraordinary. How could the lunar lander survive through
14 days lunar night? How could the power system ensure the power supply requirement in lunar night? Could the power system withstand the −180 °C low temperature
and +120 °C high temperature on lunar surface? How could the solar cells sustain
high power output in case of a wide range of solar elevation on lunar surface? How
could the reliability and safety of the power supply be ensured in flight process,
especially in orbit changes and powered descent? How could lunar dust effects on
power generation of solar cells be dealt with?All above issues should be considered
and analyzed in design of the power system.
© National Defense Industry Press and Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
D.-Y. Yu et al., Technology of Lunar Soft Lander, Space Technology Library 38,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6580-9_6
199
Power Technology of Lunar Lander
6.1 Introduction
The power system of the lunar lander was responsible for generation, storage and
controlling of electrical power [1]. During launch, LTO, circumlunar and operation
on lunar surface, the electric power was provided continuously and stably by the
power system.
In the Sun light period, the power system generated electricity on photovoltaic
effect of solar cells to provide electrical power for the lunar lander and charge battery
pack. At the same time, the excess electrical power generated by solar cells was
shunted and converted into thermal energy for heat dissipation. In the shadow period,
the battery pack discharged to the main bus to power the lunar lander through regulation and control. The power system controlled and regulated power source, managed
battery charge and discharge according to the predefined design, and provided stable,
continuous and high quality power to the lunar lander during flight.
Lunar environment is extraordinary. How could the lunar lander survive through
14 days lunar night? How could the power system ensure the power supply requirement in lunar night? Could the power system withstand the −180 °C low temperature
and +120 °C high temperature on lunar surface? How could the solar cells sustain
high power output in case of a wide range of solar elevation on lunar surface? How
could the reliability and safety of the power supply be ensured in flight process,
especially in orbit changes and powered descent? How could lunar dust effects on
power generation of solar cells be dealt with?All above issues should be considered
and analyzed in design of the power system.
© National Defense Industry Press and Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
D.-Y. Yu et al., Technology of Lunar Soft Lander, Space Technology Library 38,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6580-9_6
199