End-on radioisotope thermoelectric generator impact tests
The General-Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) provides power for space missions by transmitting the heat of [sup 238]Pu decay to an array of thermoelectric elements in a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG). The modular GPHS design was developed to address both survivability during launch abort and return from orbit. The first two RTG Impact Tests were designed to provide information on the response of a fully loaded RTG to end-on impact against a concrete target. The results of these tests indicated that at impact velocities up to 57 m/s the converter shell and internal components protect the GPHS capsules from excessive deformation. At higher velocities, some of the internal components of the RTG interact with the GPHS capsules to cause excessive localized deformation and failure.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 439005
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR--96-2816; CONF-970115--3; ON: DE96014456
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DEFORMATION
FAILURES
FUEL CANS
FUEL PELLETS
HEAT SOURCES
IMPACT SHOCK
IMPACT TESTS
LAUNCHING
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
RADIOISOTOPE GENERATORS
REENTRY
SPACE VEHICLES
TEST FACILITIES
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
URANIUM OXIDES