China's Advancements in Space Power Technology

China's Tiangong space station has tested a Stirling power converter developed by the Lanzhou Institute of Physics of China Academy of Space Technology, which can efficiently convert thermal energy into electric energy. The thermoelectric converter performed well and produced better-than-expected performance indicators. This technology has the potential to reduce a spacecraft's dependence on solar energy and could be useful for providing additional energy for future crewed, lunar and deep space exploration missions.