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Title: Safety evaluation of RTG launches aboard Titan IV launch vehicles

Abstract

The analytical tool used to evaluate accidents aboard a Titan IV launch vehicle involving a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) is discussed. The Launch Accident Scenario Evaluation Program-Titan IV version (LASEP-T) uses a Monte Carlo approach to determine the response of an RTG to various threatening environments. The threatening environments arise from a complex interplay of probabilistic and deterministic processes, and are therefore parameterized by a set of random variables with probability distributions. The assessment of the RTG response to a given environment is based on both empirical data and theoretical modeling. Imbedding detailed, complex response models into the LASEP-T calculation was not practical. Simpler response models have been constructed to capture both the inherent variability due to the phenomenology of the accident scenario along with the uncertainty of predicting response behavior. The treatment of variability and uncertainty as it pertains to the launch accident evaluation of RTG response will be discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

Authors:
;  [1]
  1. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space P.O. Box 8555 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania19101 (United States)
Publication Date:
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
627661
Report Number(s):
CONF-970115-
Journal ID: APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X; TRN: 9808M0085
DOE Contract Number:  
AC03-91SF18852
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
AIP Conference Proceedings
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 387; Journal Issue: 1; Conference: Space technology and applications international forum (STAIF - 97), Albuquerque, NM (United States), 26-30 Jan 1997; Other Information: PBD: Jan 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES; 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES; THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS; SPACE VEHICLES; ROCKETS; ACCIDENTS; FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS; DESIGN; MONTE CARLO METHOD; LAUNCHING; POWER SYSTEMS; NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems

Citation Formats

Rosko, R J, and Loughin, S. Safety evaluation of RTG launches aboard Titan IV launch vehicles. United States: N. p., 1997. Web. doi:10.1063/1.51965.
Rosko, R J, & Loughin, S. Safety evaluation of RTG launches aboard Titan IV launch vehicles. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.51965
Rosko, R J, and Loughin, S. 1997. "Safety evaluation of RTG launches aboard Titan IV launch vehicles". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.51965.
@article{osti_627661,
title = {Safety evaluation of RTG launches aboard Titan IV launch vehicles},
author = {Rosko, R J and Loughin, S},
abstractNote = {The analytical tool used to evaluate accidents aboard a Titan IV launch vehicle involving a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) is discussed. The Launch Accident Scenario Evaluation Program-Titan IV version (LASEP-T) uses a Monte Carlo approach to determine the response of an RTG to various threatening environments. The threatening environments arise from a complex interplay of probabilistic and deterministic processes, and are therefore parameterized by a set of random variables with probability distributions. The assessment of the RTG response to a given environment is based on both empirical data and theoretical modeling. Imbedding detailed, complex response models into the LASEP-T calculation was not practical. Simpler response models have been constructed to capture both the inherent variability due to the phenomenology of the accident scenario along with the uncertainty of predicting response behavior. The treatment of variability and uncertainty as it pertains to the launch accident evaluation of RTG response will be discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}},
doi = {10.1063/1.51965},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/627661}, journal = {AIP Conference Proceedings},
number = 1,
volume = 387,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997},
month = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997}
}