​

The first challenge

Energy storage system design for the Venus Exploration Probe

Team members:

Safaa Salem

Mariam Zahran

Faten Hammad

​

prope MSFv 2022

Energy resources that can be used

​

• Usually, solar accumulators are used to store solar energy, but solar energy is of limited use when it comes to Venus.
• Nuclear batteries (radioactive isotopes).
• ​

​

The appropriate radioisotope

• It is present in an insoluble form so that it is not easily absorbed by the body in the event of an unexpected release event.
• It exists in a form that exhibits minimal chemical toxicity.
• It has relatively low emissions of neutron, beta, and gamma radiation so as not to negatively affect the spacecraft's instruments (internal), and does not require massive shielding.
• It is stable at high temperatures and therefore its properties remain essentially unchanged over the years.
• It has a long half-life (at least 15 to 100 years) to be able to generate enough heat for many years
• It has a high energy density, so a small amount of it can generate a large amount of heat.
• ​

Suitable radioactive isotope: plutonium-238

​

إIt is present in an insoluble form so that it is not easily absorbed by the body in the event of an unexpected release event.

It exists in a form that exhibits minimal chemical toxicity.

It has relatively low emissions of neutron, beta, and gamma radiation so as not to negatively affect the spacecraft's instruments (internal), and does not require massive shielding.

It is stable at high temperatures and therefore its properties remain essentially unchanged over the years.

It has a long half-life (at least 15 to 100 years) to be able to generate enough heat for many years

It has a high energy density, so a small amount of it can generate a large amount of heat.

2660

Working principle of the plutonium-238 . battery

​

​

The working principle is a thermocouple (thermocouple)

In which the radioactive isotope of plutonium is placed in the middle and surrounded by thermocouples made of silicon carbide fibers

So that we connect one of the ends in plutonium-238, which will push the electrons towards one direction, which is from the hot end to the cold, and thus we will get a negative (cold) and a positive (hot) terminal and thus we will be the battery. Then we repeat the process using glass fibers that contain only the positive particles, which will lead to a positive (cold) terminal, and a negative (hot) terminal, which produces electrical energy

It is possible to use the heat generated from the planet and convert it into coolants because its temperature is lower compared to the temperature of silicon and thus we get a larger temperature difference and thus the resulting energy is greater.

Probe shape description:

​

​

​

• The shape will be spherical, but there is a head on it in the shape of an inverted triangle in order to be able to penetrate the dense atmosphere of the planet. After the penetration process, the head is dispensed with and the spherical shape remains in order for the amount of heat exposed to the probe from all sides to be equal in order to be used in the work of the nuclear battery.
• The spherical shape has the characteristics of maintaining a constant rotational speed and thus commensurate with the motion of the orbit of Venus.
• ​
• The outer structure of the probe will be made of silicon carbide e-glass.
• These fibers work with the aim of blocking the radiation coming from the planet. These fibers are provided with a cooling feature so that they work as thermal coolers surrounded by the battery.
• Use the principle of the thermal machine.
• ​

​

probe features:

The nature of the mission: Explore the planet Venus through the orbit of the probe around it

Operator: NASA

Duration of the assignment: at least 60 days

Launch weight: 585 kg

Dry weight: 455 kg

Payload: 50 kg

Power: 300 watts

Crew: Maryam Zahran, Safaa Salem, Faten Hammad

Release date: 10/25/2023

​