Space applications and implications of high temperature superconductivity
The High Temperature Superconductivity Space Experiment (HTSSE) opened new opportunities and applications for high temperature superconductivity. Space missions inherently benefit from reduced weight, size and power and HTS offers an order of magnitude improvement in these as well as simultaneously improving performance. The paper provides a short history of HTSSE and the current status of the next phase. The author outlines lessons learned from building the first space experiment and some challenges still remaining. He addresses the unique problems faced when HTS is "qualified" for use in the space environment and concludes with projections and predictions of what is next. The paper is intended to be of general interest and addresses material and electronics aspects of space applications. Summary results of tests conducted at the Naval Research Lab and elsewhere are presented as they relate to space qualification of HTS.<<ETX>>