Lightweight Radioisotope Heater Unit (LWRHU) production for the Cassini mission

Technical Report · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/259418· OSTI ID:259418

Rinehart, G H

The Lightweight Radioisotope Heater Unit (LWRHU) is a {sup 238}PuO{sub 2} fueled heat source designed to provide a thermal watt of power for space missions. The LWRHU will be used to maintain the temperature of various components on the spacecraft at the required level. The heat source consists of a {sup 238}PuO{sub 2} fuel pellet, a Pt-30Rh capsule, a pyrolytic graphite insulator, and a woven graphite aeroshell assembly. Los Alamos has fabricated 180 heater units, which will be used on the Cassini mission. This report summarizes the specifications, fabrication processes, and production data for the heat sources fabricated at Los Alamos.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 259418
• Report Number(s): LA--13143-MS; ON: DE96010652
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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