Like previous missions to the outer planets, future spacecraft missions such as Pluto/Kuiper Express, Europa Orbiter, and Solar Probe will require radioisotope power systems for their long voyages away from the Sun. Several candidate advanced power conversion technologies have been proposed that have been proposed that have higher power conversion efficiencies than the traditional thermoelectric generators, with the potential for reduced mass and reduced quantities of nuclear fuel required. Studies conducted by Lockheed Martin under the direction of the Department of Energy have included the development of system conceptual designs utilizing Alkali Metal to Electric Conversion (AMTEC) and Stirling power conversion. Generator concepts based on these conversion technologies are compared in this paper with an alternative Small RTG, based on the General Purpose Heat Source—Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (GPHS-RTG).
Radioisotope power system options for future planetary missions
Space Technology and Applications International Forum - 2001 ; 2001 ; Albuquerque, New Mexico
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 552 , 1 ; 740-746
2001-02-02
7 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Radioisotope Power System Options for Future Planetary Missions
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2001
|Future planetary missions potentially requiring Radioisotope Power Systems
American Institute of Physics | 2000
|Future Planetary Missions Potentially Requiring Radioisotope Power Systems
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000
|Future planetary missions - The options
NTRS | 1978
|