Stirling converters could allow deep space missions to massively reduce their reliance on potentially scarce solar energy.
China’s Shenzhou-15 mission crew aboard the China Space Station (CSS) has reportedly completed testing on a free-piston Stirling thermoelectric converter, according to a report from state-owned media in China.
NASA and China have both experimented with Stirling converters.
Gremlin/iStock.
The successful test marks the first time China has verified this type of technology in orbit. The experimental technology, which NASA has also investigated, has the potential to provide crucial backup energy to deep space missions.
Comments are closed.