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Radioisotope Thermophotovoltaic (RTPV) Generator and Its Applicability to an Illustrative Space Mission

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1053502· OSTI ID:1053502
The paper describes the results of a DOE-sponsored design study of a radioisotope thermophotovoltaic generator (RTPV), to complement similar studies of Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) and Stirling Generators (RSGs) previously published by the author. Instead of conducting a generic study, it was decided to focus the design effort by directing it at a specific illustrative space mission, Pluto Fast Flyby (PFF). That mission, under study by JPL, envisages a direct eight-year flight to Pluto (the only unexplored planet in the solar system), followed by comprehensive mapping, surface composition, and atmospheric structure measurements during a brief flyby of the planet and its moon Charon, and transmission of the recorded science data to Earth during a post-encounter cruise lasting up to one year.
Research Organization:
Fairchild Space and Defense Corporation
Sponsoring Organization:
NE Office of Space and Defense Power Systems
OSTI ID:
1053502
Report Number(s):
FSC-ESD-217-93-519A; Orbital ID: 9093; Call Number: 05-01
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English