Space nuclear power - A status review

Bennett, Gary L.; Hemler, Richard J.; Schock, Alfred

doi:10.2514/6.1995-25

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…For example, the Pioneer 10 spacecraft, which has left the Solar System, has been operating since 1972, yielding over 24 years of productive scientific research thanks to four small radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). In fact, thermoelectrics have shown themselves to be so reliable that all U.S. missions involving space nuclear power (whether RTGs or nuclear reactor) have relied on thermoelectric technology for the conversion of the nuclear-generated thermal power into electrical power [1, 2,3]. The only approved future U.S. mission involving nuclear power (Cassini mission to Saturn) will also rely on thermoelectric technology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Power performance of US space radioisotope thermoelectric generators

Bennett

Skrabek²

Fifteenth International Conference on Thermoelectrics. Proceedings ICT '96

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Since 1961, the United States has flown 41 radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and one reactor to provide power for 25 space systems. Thirty-eight of these nuclear power sources on 22 space systems are still in space or on other planetary bodies. This paper summarizes the design and power performance of each of the basic RTG types that have been flown which have been based on telluride and silicon-germanium thermoelectric elements. To date U.S. radioisotope thermoelectric generators have successfully operated for over 24 years in space. These RTGs have met or exceeded their prelaunch requirements and in so doing they have greatly expanded humanity's knowledge of the universe.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The only approved future U.S. mission involving nuclear power (Cassini mission to Saturn) will also rely on thermoelectric technology. Table 1 summarizes the U.S. space systems which have used nuclear power [2]. (The early RTGs were designated by the acronym "SNAP" which stands for Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Power performance of US space radioisotope thermoelectric generators

Bennett

Skrabek²

Fifteenth International Conference on Thermoelectrics. Proceedings ICT '96

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“…21世纪以来, 因传统太阳能不能有效满足星球表面科研站等深空探索需要 [16] , 以及未来空间活动对 100 kWe级以上功率的潜在需求 [17] , 美俄空间堆的研发再次进入高潮, 分别提出了电功率达到百千瓦级至兆瓦级、寿命不小于10年的发展计划 [17,18] , 以切实提高能量利用效率为主线, 保持资金投入持续推进相关研究工作 [19~23] .…”

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