Using low-bandgap III-V materials such as InAsSb in nanostructured arrays to limit potential loss mechanisms, a 25x improvement in mass specific power and ten thousands times decrease in volume from a MMRTG is an early estimate, with higher performance possible depending on operating conditions. TRC technology will allow a proliferation of small versatile spacecraft with ... Read more
Larger telescopes are better because we can see better and capture more light, so NASA is developing liquid based space telescopes that would let us build 50 meter telescopes for the cost of 10 meter telescopes. The future of space-based UV/optical/IR astronomy requires ever larger telescopes. The highest priority astrophysics targets, including Earth-like exoplanets, first ... Read more
The moon has one-sixth the gravity of the earth so magnetic levitation can use 35 times less power to do the same work. NASA will leverage this to make thin sheets that can rolled out to make lunar railway systems. They will provide reliable, autonomous, and efficient payload transport on the Moon. A durable, long-life ... Read more