Energy for a Space Station

Energy for a Space Station

Under normal conditions, a space station gathers its energy with huge sails of solar cells while it flows on the sun side of the planet. Part of the energy is delivered to the power distribution system for immediate use and the rest is stored in nickel-cadmium batteries (nicad batteries) to support the station when it slipped into the Earth’s shadow.

The auxiliary power configuration may cause the undesired effect of disengaging the station’s utilities from the solar arrays. The nicad batteries are capable of providing full power for one complete orbit. The emergency configuration lowers the demand.

E for Energy. Image : © Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

Viewed from the space, the module are identical except for the markings painted on their white skins. As the modules are situated adjacent to each other and their internal designs and color schemes are adapted to suit the tastes of the individual nationalities.

The station’s computerized inertial measurement unit (IMU) constantly monitors orientation and the attitude control system (ACS) automatically corrects andy instability.

(Ben Bova and Bill Pogue, the Trikon Deception).