Nuclear Risk Assessment 2019 Update for the Mars 2020 Mission Environmental Impact Statement

Technical Report · Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1569349· OSTI ID:1569349

Clayton, Daniel James ^[1]; Wilkes, John ^[1]; Starr, Michael J. ^[1]; Ehrhart, Brian David ^[1]; Mendoza, Hector ^[1]; Ricks, Allen Joseph ^[1]; Villa, Daniel L. ^[1]; Potter, Donald L. ^[1]; Dinzl, Derek John ^[1]; Fulton, John D. ^[1]; Clayton, Joe M. ^[1]; Cochran, Lainy Dromgoole ^[1]; Eckert-Gallup, Aubrey C. ^[1]; Brooks, Dusty Marie ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

In the summer of 2020, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to launch a spacecraft as part of the Mars 2020 mission. The rover on the proposed spacecraft will use a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) to provide continuous electrical and thermal power for the mission. The MMRTG uses radioactive plutonium dioxide. NASA is preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the mission in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. This Nuclear Risk Assessment addresses the responses of the MMRTG option to potential accident and abort conditions during the launch opportunity for the Mars 2020 mission and the associated consequences. This information provides the technical basis for the radiological risks discussed in the SEIS.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Sandia National Laboratories, Unknown, Unknown
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
• OSTI ID: 1569349
• Report Number(s): SAND-2019-11148; 679806; TRN: US2100439
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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