The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched its nuclear powered Cassini spacecraft on October 15, 1997, on a 12 year mission to Saturn. You asked that we review the use of nuclear power systems for Cassini and other space missions. As agreed with your office, this report (1) describes the processes NASA used to assess the safety and environmental risks associated with the Cassini mission, (2) describes NASA'S efforts to consider the use of a non-nuclear power source for the Cassini mission, (3) identifies the federal investment associated with the development of non-nuclear power sources for deep space missions, and (4) identifies NASA's planned future nuclear powered space missions. On December 11,1997, we briefed your staff on the results of our work. This report discusses and updates the information presented at that briefing.


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    Title :

    Space Exploration; Power Sources for Deep Space Probes


    Publication date :

    1998


    Size :

    23 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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