Technical difficulties and development trend of near-space airship’s power system

The near-space airship holds significant promise for applications in communication networks and emergency rescue operations due to its remarkable advantages of extended flight duration, substantial payload capacity, and low operation and maintenance expenses. Its power system is composed of solar cells, batteries, power management modules, and power distribution units. To ensure stable long-term operation in the harsh near-space environment, characterized by low pressure, extreme low temperatures, and intense ultraviolet radiation, adaptive design and optimization of the power system are indispensable. The paper conducts a review and analysis of the near-space environmental characteristics, the technical specifications of power systems for near-space airships, and the current state of technological development. It summarizes the key issues associated with the historical, current, and future evolution of power technologies for such airships, discusses the technical challenges confronting their power systems, and clarifies the breakthrough directions and performance indicators required for each technology. The study identifies three critical technologies requiring urgent breakthroughs: low-cost, high-efficiency solar cell modules, high-performance energy storage battery modules with long cycle life, and high-reliability, high-efficiency distributed energy management technologies. Additionally, long-distance wireless energy transmission and extreme environment energy utilization technologies are highlighted as potential pathways to enhance power system capabilities. The paper provides a valuable reference for power system designers of near-space airships and researchers in related disciplines, enabling them to conduct demand-driven technological research and development.