West Coast Solutions (WCS) and Sunpower, Inc. propose the development of a space-rated electronic controller for the Sunpower Robust Stirling Convertor (SRSC) in response to Topic S16.02 Dynamic and Solid-State Power Conversion. This controller will be called the Stirling Convertor Space Controller (SCSC). The effort will be led by WCS, who brings a proven track record developing and delivering space-rated controllers for Stirling cryocoolers, and many other space-flight applications. WCS has teamed with Sunpower, the industry leader in the design and build of highly efficient and reliable space-rated Stirling convertors. The strong WCS-Sunpower Team will close the gap on bringing Stirling convertor technology to space launch maturity with the development of this enabling SCSC technology. A significant impediment to deploying the SRSC in space is the lack of a radiation hard, space-rated electronic controller. WCS addresses this impediment in Phase I with the development of a flight-design controller circuit, fully compatible with the intended radiation environments. The starting point for the design is the Sunpower “Kilopower” Stirling convertor controller, a lab-based design which was developed under NASA’s Game Changing Development Program under the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), which has been shown to effectively control the SRSC prototype. With the support of Sunpower, WCS will convert the Kilopower Stirling Convertor Controller to a space-rated design targeting > 300 krad (Si) total ionizing dose (TID) hardness at the module level.

There are many regions of space where solar power is not an option and there exists a need for long term operation of a spacecraft, lander, or rover for exploration. Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) offer the technical advantage of a small size and long life, and the proposed SRSC-based solution is the most efficient, practical power convertor available for RPS. The proposed development of a matching flight controller will enable RPS-based missions to Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Europa, Saturn, Titan, Uranus, Neptune, the moon, asteroids and comets.

WCS anticipates commercial applications for essentially the identical technology to emerge gioven the increasing private interest in moon, asteroid, and other planetary exploration missions.