Peter Cabauy
City Labs, Inc.
The niac phase I study confirmed the feasibility of nuclear-micropored probes (NMPS) Using Tritium Betavoltaic Power Technology for Autonomous Explore for Autonomous Expos (Psrs). This work advanced the Technology’s Reading Level (TRL) from Trl 1 To TRL 2, Validating TheorTical Models and Feasibility Assessments. Phase II will refine the technology, address challenges, and elevate the trl to 3, with a roadmap for further maturation Toward trl 4 and beyond, supporting nasa’s mission for lunar and planning. A key innovation is tritium betavoltaic power sources, providing long-duration energy in extrame environments. The proposed 5cm x 5cm gram-scale device supports lunar spectroscopy and other applications. In-Situ analyses at the moon’s south pole are challenging due to cold, limited solar power, and prolonged darkness. Tritium betavoltaics harvest energy from radioactive decay, enabling autonomous sensing in environments unsupitable for conventional photovoltaics and chemical-based batteries.
The proposal focuses on designing an utrathin light weight tritium betavoltaic into an NMP for integrating various scientific instruments. Tritium-Powered NMPS Support Diverse Applications, from Planetary Science to Scouting Missions for human explosion. This Approach Enables Large-SCALE deployment for high-resolution remote sensing. For instance, a distributed NMP Array Cold Map Lunar Water Resources, Aartemis Missions. Beyond The Moon, Tritium-Powered Platforms Enable a Class of Missions to Mars, Europa, Enceladus, and asteroids, where Alternative Power Source are impractical.
II objectives focus on improving energy conversion Efficiency and Resilience of Tritium Betavoltaic Power Source, Targeting 1-10 ÎĵW Continous Electrical Power with therm Output. The project will optimize NMP Integration with Sensor Platforms, Enhancing Power Management, Data Transmission, and Environmental Survivability in PSR Conditions. Environmental Testing will assess Survivability under Lunar Landing Conditions, Including Deceptions of 27,000-270,000G and Interactions with Lunar Regolith. The goal is to advance trl from 2 to 3 by demonstrating proof-of-concept prototypes and preparaing for trl 4. Applicability, and Cost-Effectiveness Compared to Alternative Technologies.
A key discovery in phase I was the thermal-survivability benefits of the betavoltaic’s tritium metal hydride, which generates enough heat to keep electronic components. This dual functionality –is bot a power source and thermal stabilizer -helps nmp components to function within temperature specifications, a Breakthroury Specifications, A Breakthrough for Autonomous Sensing In ExTREMURONMENS IN Extrema Beyond Lunar Applications, this Technology Could Revolutionize Planetary Science, Deep-Spec Explosion, and Terrestrial Use Cases. It could aid mars missions, where dust stories and long nights challenge solar power, and europa landers, which needed person’s low-power operation. Earth-based applications such as biomedical implants and environmental monitoring could benefit from the proposed advancers in betavoltaic energy storage and micro-secure sensors. The phase II study supports nasa’s artemis objectives by enabling sustainable lunar exploration through enhanced Resource Characterization and Autonomous monitoring. Tritium-Powered sensing has strategic value for psr scouting, planetary-surface mapping, and deep-space monitoring. By Positioning Tritium Betavoltaic NMPS as a Power Solution for Extreme Environments, This Study Lays The Foundation for Transitioning The Technology from CONCEPT to Implementation, Advanceing Exvanceing Explosion and Scientific discovery.
2025 selections
