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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Light weight radioisotope heater unit (LWRHU) production for the Cassini mission

Conference ·
OSTI ID:434843

The Light-Weight Radioisotope Heater Unit (LWRHU) is a [sup 238]PuO[sub 2] fueled heat source designed to provide one thermal watt in each of various locations on a spacecraft. The heat sources are required to maintain the temperature of specific components within normal operating ranges. The heat source consists of a hot- pressed [sup 238]PuO[sub 2] fuel pellet, a Pt-3ORh vented capsule, a pyrolytic graphite insulator, and a woven graphite aeroshell assembly. Los Alamos National Laboratory has fabricated 180 heat sources, 157 of which will be used on the Cassini mission.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
434843
Report Number(s):
LA-UR--96-2777; CONF-970115--4; ON: DE96014455
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English