AbstractStudies over the last decade have shown radioisotope-based nuclear electric propulsion to be enhancing and, in some cases, enabling for many potential robotic science missions. Also known as radioisotope electric propulsion (REP), the technology offers the performance advantages of traditional reactor-powered electric propulsion (i.e., high specific impulse propulsion at large distances from the Sun), but with much smaller, affordable spacecraft. Future use of REP requires development of radioisotope power sources with system specific powers well above that of current systems. The US Department of Energy and NASA have developed an advanced Stirling radioisotope generator (ASRG) engineering unit, which was subjected to rigorous flight qualification-level tests in 2008, and began extended lifetime testing later that year. This advancement, along with recent work on small ion thrusters and life extension technology for Hall thrusters, could enable missions using REP sometime during the next decade.
Radioisotope electric propulsion (REP): A near-term approach to nuclear propulsion
Acta Astronautica ; 66 , 3-4 ; 501-507
2009-07-11
7 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
ASC , advanced Stirling converter , AU , astronomical unit , ASRG , advanced Stirling radioisotope generator , DOE , US Department of Energy , EU , engineering unit , GPHS , general purpose heat source , Isp , specific impulse , JIMO , Jupiter icy Moons orbiter , MMRTG , multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator , NEP , nuclear electric propulsion (reactor-powered electric propulsion) , PPU , power processing unit , REP , radioisotope electric propulsion , RPS , radioisotope power system , RTG , radioisotope thermoelectric generator , SEP , solar electric propulsion , TRL , technology readiness level , Propulsion , Nuclear power , Electric propulsion , Nuclear electric propulsion , Radioisotope power , Radioisotope electric propulsion
Radioisotope electric propulsion (REP): A near-term approach to nuclear propulsion
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