Tag: Power Systems
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Intuitive Machines: Pioneering the Lunar Frontier to Power Humanity’s Future in Space
Intuitive Machines was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas, as a hub for space innovation due to its proximity to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Intuitive Machines aims to open access to the Moon for the progress of humanity by providing lunar surface access, payload delivery, data transmission services, and lunar infrastructure. The…
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Zeno Power Secures $50M Series B funding to Advance Nuclear Battery Technology
Zeno Power, the leading developer of nuclear batteries – radioisotope power systems – for frontier environments, announced its $50 million Series B funding round, led by Hanaco Ventures with participation from Seraphim, Balerion Space Ventures, JAWS, Vanderbilt University, RiverPark Ventures, Stage 1 Ventures, 7i Capital, Beyond Earth Ventures, and others. Admiral John M. Richardson, USN…
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ispace-US and Zeno Power Partner for Lunar Night Survival with Nuclear-Powered Tech by 2027
At the 40th Space Symposium, ispace technologies U.S., a leading American lunar exploration company, and Zeno Power Systems, a pioneer in nuclear power for space applications, announced a strategic agreement to jointly develop technologies that enable lunar missions to survive the harsh lunar night. The companies are targeting a demonstration mission as early as 2027…
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Star Catcher Successfully Demonstrates Space Power Beaming Technology
Star Catcher, the pioneer in space-to-space power beaming, has successfully completed the first-ever demonstration of its space-based power beaming technology, marking a major step toward deploying an in-space energy grid that will eliminate power constraints for satellites. Conducted at EverBank Stadium, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, this end-to-end ground demonstration validates the core technology that…
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constellr Releases First High-Resolution Thermal Image of Tokyo from SkyBee-1 Satellite
constellr, a European leader in Earth Observation (EO), has released its ‘first light’ image from HiVE’s SkyBee-1 satellite, marking a milestone in high-precision thermal monitoring. Captured just weeks after the satellite’s launch, the image provides an unprecedented, high-resolution thermal map of Tokyo at night, demonstrating building-level temperature detail. SkyBee-1 carries a custom-developed thermal long-wave infrared…
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Star Catcher Partners with Space Florida for Space Energy Grid Development
Star Catcher Industries, the leader in space-to-space power beaming, announced a strategic partnership with Space Florida, the state’s independent aerospace finance and development authority, to advance the world’s first space energy grid. As part of this partnership, Star Catcher will conduct a large-scale demonstration later this summer of its groundbreaking power beaming technology at Space…
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What are the Different Types of Solar Panels used in Space?
Crystalline Silicon Panels Crystalline Silicon Panels were first used in 1958 for the VANGUARD-1 satellite. Panels made from silicon have a much lower efficiency i.e 15-20% electricity generated because silicon panels can only absorb visible sunlight and not infrared & UV rays. Additionally, silicon panels are more susceptible to degradation over time due to the…
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What are Cryocoolers?
Cryocoolers are refrigerators that are designed to reach cryogenic temperatures (-130 ). They are designed in tabletop sizes and have an input power of less than 20 kW. A cryogenic refrigerator has four major components: Compressor Heat exchanger Expansion device Evaporator In the first stage, the gas gets compressed and goes to the heat exchanger.…
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Why are Solar Panels used in Satellites & Spacecrafts?
Spacecrafts or satellites that orbit around the earth, near the sun are powered by solar energy. Solar panels are fitted on these satellites or spacecraft and are economical and conserve space and energy. That’s why they are preferred over batteries for operation. Space-based solar panels can generate up to 2000 gigawatts of power constantly because…
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What are Pulse Tube Cryocoolers?
Pulse tube cryocoolers are refrigeration devices that achieve cryogenic temperatures (below 123 K) without moving parts in the cold region, making them reliable and low-maintenance solutions for various applications in science and industry. They are particularly useful in fields such as aerospace, medical imaging, and superconducting technologies. Pulse tube cryocoolers operate on the principle of…