Some possible fields of utilization of high-temperature superconductivity in lunar exploration program

Abstract

The article presents possible options to solve problems characteristic of the lunar program using devices with elements of high-temperature superconductivity technology (HTSC). Both the general state of work on high-temperature superconductivity technologies and types of HTSC products and their main characteristics are considered preliminarily. According to foreign information materials, the possible options are described to use HTSC assemblies for solving tasks on the lunar surface. It is shown that conditions on the lunar surface are more attractive for operation of HTSC devices than on the surface of the Earth. Combining HTSC and lunar technologies is related to the purpose of reducing the mass and dimensions and increasing the service life of the equipment for operation on the Moon. The main attention in the article is paid to devices with bulk HTSC and, above all, taking into account the possible wide use on the lunar surface – to magnetic HTSC bearings, including for the kinetic energy storage, a telescope. The list of devices with HTSC assemblies that can be efficiently used for the optimal solution of many urgent tasks is given and their features are described. Key words: high-temperature superconductivity, bulk HTSC, magnetic HTSC bearing, lunar surface, kinetic energy storage, telescope.