Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

RADIONUCLIDE POWER FOR SPACE. PART 1. ISOTOPE COSTS AND AVAILABILITY

Journal Article · · Nucleonics (U.S.) Ceased publication
OSTI ID:4748591
Projections of the production of isotopes needed for space power systems reveal a potential shortage of Pu/sup 238/. Production of Cm/sup 244/ to supplement the Pu/sup 238/ is proposed. Merits of various isotopes as space fuels are weighed, and Pu/sup 238/ Cm/sup 244/, Po/sup 210/, and Cm/sup 242/ are deemed best due to their low shielding requirements. Use of Sr/sup 90/, Ce/ sup 144/, Pm/sup 147/, and Cs/sup is also explored. The future role of private industry in producing the necessary isotopes is also examined. (D.C.W.)
Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-17-015517
OSTI ID:
4748591
Journal Information:
Nucleonics (U.S.) Ceased publication, Journal Name: Nucleonics (U.S.) Ceased publication Vol. Vol: 21: No. 3; ISSN NUCLA
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English