SNAP RADIOISOTOPE SPACE PROGRAMS. Quarterly Progress Report No. 8, Task 7, July 1 through September 30, 1961

Technical Report · Thu Oct 31 00:00:00 EST 1963

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4741658· OSTI ID:4741658

Activities in a program devoted to the safety evaluation of isotopic power systems in space applications are reported. In the study of upper atmosphere re-entry, flare and telemetry test capsules were completed for scheduled re-entry tests. The altitude of re-entry burn-through for all phase I and II test capsules and nose cone-vehicle-pod relative position data were determined. These data were used in determining the optimum positions and headings for the optical and optical-telemetry aircraft. A 100-lb test pod containing simulated SNAP 3 fuel cores was shot into space in July 1961. Two of these were flare capsules containing Na and K, and one was a telemetry capsule containing a transmitter. The flares were sighted and a telemetry signal was received in this test. The high altitude diffusion and dispersion study was concluded with the writing of equations for turbulence-induced cloud growth, wind- induced translational motion and gravity-induced vertical motion. Results of the program for predicting fuel particle size as a function of initial size and re- entry velocity and altitude are included. Work on the radioisotope shielding code was continued. (J.R.D.)

• Research Organization: Martin Co. Nuclear Div., Baltimore
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AT(30-3)-217
• NSA Number: NSA-17-007643
• OSTI ID: 4741658
• Report Number(s): MND-P-3016-I
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

SPACE APPLICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
AEROSOLS
COMBUSTION
COMMUNICATIONS
DIAGRAMS
DIFFUSION
DISPERSIONS
EQUATIONS
FUEL ELEMENTS
GRAIN SIZE
GRAVITATION
LEVELS
MEASURED VALUES
MOCKUP
MOTION
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
PARTICLES
POTASSIUM
POWER
RADIOISOTOPES
RE-ENTRY
REMOTE CONTROL
SAFETY
SATELLITES
SHIELDING
SIGNALS
SNAP SYSTEMS
SODIUM
SPACE
SPACE VEHICLES
SUN
TELEMETRY
THERMOELECTRIC CELLS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTIONS
TURBULENCE
VELOCITY
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems