Abstract This paper presents the results of a study on design considerations for a 100W radioisotope thermo-electric generator (RTG). Special emphasis has been put on designing a modular, multi-purpose system with high overall TRL levels and making full use of the extensive Russian heritage in the design of radioisotope power systems. The modular approach allowed insight into the scaling of such RTGs covering the electric power range from 50 to 200We (EoL). The retained concept is based on a modular thermal block structure, a radiative inner-RTG heat transfer and using a two-stage thermo-electric conversion system.
Technology-based design and scaling for RTGs for space exploration in the 100W range
Acta Astronautica ; 68 , 7-8 ; 873-882
2010-08-18
10 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Radioisotope power sources , RTG , Nuclear power sources , AIV , Assembly, Integration and Verification , BoL , Beginning of (service) Life , CNES , Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales , COPUOS , (United Nations) Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space , EoL , End of (service) Life , GPHS , General Purpose Heat Source (US) , IAEA , International Atomic Energy Agency , LW RHU , Light Weight Radioisotope Heater Unit (US) , MMRTG , Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermo-Electric Generator (US) , NPS , Nuclear Power Source , RHS , Radioisotope heat source , RHU , Radioisotope heater unit (made of several radioisotope heat sources) , Radioisotope Thermo-Electric Generator , TEC , Thermo-Electric Converter , TRL , Technology Readiness Level
Technology-based design and scaling for RTGs for space exploration in the 100W range
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