A radioisotope-fueled thermoelectric generator is ideally suited to the nighttime power requirements of unmanned soft lunar landing experiments. A generator design capable of producing 25 w of electric power as well as sufficient thermal energy for environmental control of critical electronic components is described. Sufficient curium-242 may be encapsulated to provide an operational life of 90-120 days in a unit weighing 30 lb. This unit will extend the data gathering capability of the experiment with a significant weight advantage over conventional power supplies.
Nuclear Auxiliary Power Unit for Lunar Exploration
Sae Technical Papers
Pre-1964 SAE Technical Papers ; 1906
1962-01-01
Conference paper
English
Nuclear auxiliary power unit for lunar exploration
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