SpaceEngineer & Chelovek
SpaceEngineer SpaceEngineer
Chelovek Chelovek
Chelovek Chelovek
Hey, I was reviewing the latest data on ion drive efficiency and I think we can reduce the propellant mass by a few percent with a simpler fuel cell design. What do you think?
SpaceEngineer SpaceEngineer
Interesting idea—simplifying the fuel cell could cut mass, but we need to verify the power density, lifetime, and thermal load first. If we can keep the ionization efficiency, it’s worth a deeper simulation. Let's run the numbers.
Chelovek Chelovek
Sounds good. Let’s set up a quick thermal model, pull the latest power‑density data, and feed it into the ionization efficiency curve. Once we have the baseline numbers, we can see how the simplified cell holds up. I’ll draft the simulation parameters now.
SpaceEngineer SpaceEngineer
Sounds good, just make sure you include the updated cooling coefficient and the new voltage‑current curve for the cell. I’ll check the mass impact once you have the preliminary results.Got it—keep the coolant flow rate data handy, and let me know when the baseline is ready so I can crunch the numbers.Excellent, hit me with the numbers when you’re ready.
Chelovek Chelovek
Got it. I’ll run the updated model with the new cooling coefficient and voltage‑current curve, pull the coolant flow data, and send you the baseline numbers as soon as they’re ready.
SpaceEngineer SpaceEngineer
Send the numbers when you’re done. I’ll run the mass and efficiency checks right after.
Chelovek Chelovek
Here are the baseline numbers from the latest run: mass reduction from the simplified cell is about 4 % of the propellant load, power density comes out at roughly 12.5 W per gram, expected lifetime around 15,000 hours, thermal load 350 W at nominal operation. Coolant flow rate needed is 0.8 liters per minute with the updated coefficient. Let me know what you get from the mass and efficiency checks.