RTG performance on Galileo and Ulysses and Cassini test results
- Lockheed Martin Corporation P.O. Box 8555, 29B41-KB, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania19101 (United States)
Power output from telemetry for the two Galileo RTGs are shown from the 1989 launch to the recent Jupiter encounter. Comparisons of predicted, measured and required performance are shown. Similar comparisons are made for the RTG on the Ulysses spacecraft which completed its planned mission in 1995. Also presented are test results from small scale thermoelectric modules and full scale converters performed for the Cassini program. The Cassini mission to Saturn is scheduled for an October 1997 launch. Small scale module test results on thermoelectric couples from the qualification and flight production runs are shown. These tests have exceeded 19,000 hours are continuing to provide increased confidence in the predicted long term performance of the Cassini RTGs. Test results are presented for full scale units both ETGs (E-6, E-7) and RTGs (F-2, F-5) along with mission power predictions. F-5, fueled in 1985, served as a spare for the Galileo and Ulysses missions and plays the same role in the Cassini program. It has successfully completed all acceptance testing. The ten years storage between thermal vacuum tests is the longest ever experienced by an RTG. The data from this test are unique in providing the effects of long term low temperature storage on power output. All ETG and RTG test results to date indicate that the power requirements of the Cassini spacecraft will be met. BOM and EOM power margins of at least five percent are predicted. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 627673
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970115-; ISSN 0094-243X; TRN: 98:006044
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 387, Issue 1; Conference: Space technology and applications international forum (STAIF - 97), Albuquerque, NM (United States), 26-30 Jan 1997; Other Information: PBD: Jan 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Cassini RTG acceptance test results and RTG performance on Galileo and Ulysses
Cassini RTG acceptance test results and RTG performance on Galileo and Ulysses
Related Subjects
21 NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
SPACE VEHICLES
POWER SYSTEMS
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
THERMIONIC CONVERSION
DESIGN
POWER RANGE 100-1000 W
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
TEMPERATURE RANGE 1000-4000 K
PERFORMANCE
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems