An assessment of the response of the GPHS-RTG to potential accident environments
- Orbital Sciences Corporation, 20301 Century Blvd., Germantown, Maryland 20874 (United States)
The Cassini spacecraft is designed to carry out an orbital tour of the Saturnian system and an investigation of the planet, its satellites, atmosphere, and ring system. The spacecraft will carry three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RGTs) to provide electrical power. It is scheduled to be launched aboard the Titan IV/Centaur launch vehicle system. This paper describes the details of the hydrocode analysis simulating the impact of an RTG on the launch pad and the collision of high speed plate fragments with the RTG. Calculations of the response of the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) and the fueled clads to these events are presented. It will be shown that the analysis is an effective tool to guide and support the experimental satety test program plan which will be conducted as part of the RTG Safety Assessment for Cassini mission. {copyright} 1995 {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC01-94NE32172
- OSTI ID:
- 90430
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950110-; ISSN 0094-243X; TRN: 9516M0021
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 324, Issue 1; Conference: 12. symposium on space nuclear power and propulsion, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 8-12 Jan 1995; Other Information: PBD: 20 Jan 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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