General-Purpose Heat Source safety verification test series: SVT-1 through SVT-6

Technical Report · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6262350· OSTI ID:6262350

Pavone, D; George, T G; Frantz, C E

The General-Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) is a modular heat source that will supply energy for Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) in space missions. The Safety Verification Tests (SVTs) are performed to assess the plutonia containment capability of heat source modules subjected to certain accident environments. This interim report described the GPHS module configuration, the test environment, and the response of the module components following simulated reentry and solid Earth impact. The specific test environment of these initial six tests results from failure of the booster rocket to place the spacecraft in a proper trajectory and subsequent reentry of the GPHS modules from Earth orbit. 36 figs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6262350
• Report Number(s): LA-10353-MS; ON: DE85017956
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
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DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
HEAT SOURCES
ISOTOPES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PLUTONIUM COMPOUNDS
POWER SUPPLIES
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
RADIOISOTOPES
REENTRY
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THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
TRANSURANIUM COMPOUNDS
VERIFICATION