Powerstick development

A device called a Powerstick is being developed to satisfy the requirements of several potential solar system exploration missions. The Powerstick is a small power source consisting of three major components: a space qualified heat source (RHU), a thermopile (thermoelectric converter) and a set of rechargeable batteries. The Powerstick merges several devices developed earlier by space power programs. The RHU was developed by DOE for the Galileo and Ulysses missions, the thermopile is a combination of the early RTG technology and pacemaker technology with new packaging techniques, and a lithium-ion rechargeable battery is currently being developed for space applications. NASA has awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract to Hi-Z Technology, Inc. of San Diego to manufacture a miniaturized thermopile and provide a preliminary design of the Powerstick. JPL´s Solar System Exploration Program funded Powerstick prototype design and fabrication contract with Swales & Associates, Inc. The Swales unit and the Hi-Z thermopile will be integrated at JPL. This integrated prototype with the thermopile, rechargeable batteries and electrical RHU simulator will be tested at JPL. At the same time JPL is pursuing a “ruggedized” Powerstick development with the Russian company BIAPOS. BIAPOS is to independently design, build and deliver to JPL for testing their own version of the Powerstick. According to the technology development road map for small space sources the American and Russian efforts will lead to the development of an engineering and qualification Powerstick unit by the end of the century