Paul Henshall

Solar Thermal Propulsion Augmented with Fiber Optics: - A System Design Proposal

This paper discusses the design criteria for a fiber optic augmented solar thermal propulsion system suitable for a micro satellite platform. Each system component is analyzed to determine system requirements and conceptual component designs are discussed. Model and experiment data is reported to show component feasibility. A case study is performed to derive the performance of a fiber augmented solar thermal propulsion system operating under the restrictions of the UK-DMC micro satellite.

Development of an Efficient Low- and Medium-Temperature Vacuum Flat-Plate Solar Thermal Collector

Production of heat accounts for over half of our overall primary energy consumption in domestic and industrial applications. Despite the great scope for deployment of solar thermal collectors to provide low- and medium-temperature heat, there is relatively little uptake of this technology. The requirements for heat provision are studied, and the desired characteristics of potential solutions considered. Application areas are discussed in addition to the potential for system integration. An assessment is made of the shortcomings of solar thermal collectors and the requirements for new technologies suggested. This leads to a design approach for a collector that is effective across a range of applications and provides further supplementary benefit for system or building integration.

Concentrator pointing control concept for fiber optic augmented solar thermal propulsion systems

This is the accepted version of an article subsequently published in the AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets [© AIAA]. The definitive version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.2514/1.A33352