Publisher's Synopsis
Dynamic power conversion technologies, such as closed Brayton and free-piston Stirling, offer many advantages for space power applications including high efficiency, long life, and attractive scaling characteristics. This paper presents a historical review of Brayton and Stirling power conversion technology for space and discusses on-going development activities in order to illustrate current technology readiness. The paper also presents a forecast of potential future space uses of these power technologies. Mason, Lee S. and Schreiber, Jeffrey G. Glenn Research Center NASA/TM-2007-214976, Paper 2034, E-16140