Lunar Microgrid Systems Engineering Methodology for Resilient Design

ABSTRACT In the upcoming Artemis missions, NASA aims to establish a permanent facility on the lunar surface as a proving ground for technology that could be used on future missions to Mars. Given the harsh environment of outer space and the significant cost associated with transporting equipment, it is important to explore early designs of electrical power systems (EPS). EPS, in the form of microgrids, must be capable of supporting missions and be resilient enough to handle off‐nominal events such as electrical faults and equipment failure. Furthermore, the EPS must meet size, weight, and cost constraints. To this end, this paper establishes a systems engineering methodology to assess the trade‐space of microgrid resilience and mass. This methodology is demonstrated by a case study using parameters from upcoming Artemis missions to the lunar south pole. The systems engineering methodology developed in this paper can be used to analyze microgrids in other austere environments such as deep sea exploration, remote communities with seasonal resupply, and defense applications.