With the potential future deployment of a lunar outpost there is expected to be a clear need for a high-power, lunar surface power source to support lunar surface operations independent of the day-night cycle, and Fission Surface Power (FSP) is a very effective solution for power levels above a couple 10 s of kWe. FSP is similarly enabling for the poorly illuminated surface of Mars. The power levels/requirements for a lunar outpost option are currently being studied, but it is known that cost is clearly a predominant concern to decision makers. This paper describes the plans of NASA and the DOE to execute an affordable fission surface power system technology development project to demonstrate sufficient technology readiness of an affordable FSP system so viable and cost-effective FSP system options will be available when high power lunar surface system choices are expected to be made in the early 2010s.


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    Title :

    Fission Surface Power Technology Development Status


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    47th Aerospace Sciences Meeting ; 2009 ; Orlando, FL, United States


    Publication date :

    2009-03-01


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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