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

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1996 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.51951· OSTI ID:627652

Rinehart, G H ^[1]

---

1. Nuclear Materials Technology Division Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos, New Mexico87545 (United States)

The 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-30Rh 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. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 627652
• Report Number(s): CONF-970115--
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 387; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
42 ENGINEERING
DESIGN
FABRICATION
FUEL PELLETS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PLUTONIUM 238
POWER RANGE 01-10 W
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
SPACE VEHICLES