Start Date
4-1968 8:00 AM
Description
An adequate source of electric power is, of coarse,, essential to all space missions. As these missions become raorti ambitious, the power needs '*ill increase* It is the job of the Atomic Energy Commission to assure that the unique capabilities of nuclear power sources are available for use as needed for these missions. The missions requirements that must be considered involve both the NASA and the military, and the AEG works closely witn both NASA and the DOD in the conduct of this program. The space isotopie -power program is the responsibility of the Space Nuclear Systems Division of the AEG. Sandia Laboratory, working under the aegis of the Space Nuclear Systems Division of the AEC» is responsible for the technical management of this expanding development program.
Let us first look at the need for isotope power generating systems for' space applications* Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG's) have been developed which provide the desired reliable power output for the required long lived satellites. Figure 1 indicates that isotope power systems and solar systems are both useful in the low powered (few watts to a few kilowatts) long operating life region. In the higher powered region, reactor power appears more applicable. Isotope powered systems would be selected over solar powered systems where specialized environments or operating conditions of a particular mission indicate superiority for the isotope powered system. Examples of these specialized environments are regions of low incident sunlight, high-flux Van Alien radiation belts, and orbits of high atmospheric drag. Isotopic power systems appear particularly attractive for space probes being sent to the outer planets, space landers on the moon or any of the planets which would result in a daynight cycle, or for extremely long life missions.
New Developments in the Space Isotope Power Program
An adequate source of electric power is, of coarse,, essential to all space missions. As these missions become raorti ambitious, the power needs '*ill increase* It is the job of the Atomic Energy Commission to assure that the unique capabilities of nuclear power sources are available for use as needed for these missions. The missions requirements that must be considered involve both the NASA and the military, and the AEG works closely witn both NASA and the DOD in the conduct of this program. The space isotopie -power program is the responsibility of the Space Nuclear Systems Division of the AEG. Sandia Laboratory, working under the aegis of the Space Nuclear Systems Division of the AEC» is responsible for the technical management of this expanding development program.
Let us first look at the need for isotope power generating systems for' space applications* Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG's) have been developed which provide the desired reliable power output for the required long lived satellites. Figure 1 indicates that isotope power systems and solar systems are both useful in the low powered (few watts to a few kilowatts) long operating life region. In the higher powered region, reactor power appears more applicable. Isotope powered systems would be selected over solar powered systems where specialized environments or operating conditions of a particular mission indicate superiority for the isotope powered system. Examples of these specialized environments are regions of low incident sunlight, high-flux Van Alien radiation belts, and orbits of high atmospheric drag. Isotopic power systems appear particularly attractive for space probes being sent to the outer planets, space landers on the moon or any of the planets which would result in a daynight cycle, or for extremely long life missions.
Comments
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