The Galileo spacecraft contains approximately 48.64 lbm (22.06 kg) of plutonium dioxide fuel, (sup 238)PuO(sub 2), which is contained in two Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs), plus an additional 0.7575 lbm (343.6 grams) of (sup 238)PuO(sub 2) contained in 129 Light-Weight Radioisotope Heater Units (LWRHU) modules (each module contains 0.0059 lbm or 2.66 grams). The RTGs provide electrical power for the mission, and the LWRHUs are used to heat critical components. There are accident scenarios during the launch and injection of the Galileo spacecraft towards Jupiter which could lead to inadvertent reentry of the spacecraft into the Earth's atmosphere. Such reentries will subject the spacecraft to severe aerodynamic heating and deceleration loads. Although the spacecraft will be destroyed under such an accident scenario, the fuel containment system has been designed to protect the fuel from this environment and to prevent fuel release. Release of the (sup 238)PuO(sub 2) fuel by a severe launch pad or other accident could present a radiological hazard. The purpose of this document is to present an independent assessment of the reentry protection afforded by the containment system. This assessment has been performed by the Reentry Subpanel of the Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Panel (INSRP). INSRP has the responsibility of preparing an independent evaluation of the safety, from a radiological risk standpoint, of the Galileo mission, and incorporates inputs from the Reentry Subpanel and four other subpanels in its evaluation. 18 refs., 34 figs., 23 tabs.


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    Flight elements subpanel

    Keckler, Claude R. | NTRS | 1990


    Flight Elements Subpanel

    C. R. Keckler | NTIS | 1990