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Title: NASA low power DIPS [Dynamic Isotope Power System] conceptual design requirements document

Abstract

This document describes the requirements for a low power (0.5--1.0 kwe) Dynamic Isotope Power System (DIPS) for interplanetary and space exploration missions using the Mariner Mark II spacecraft. The reference mission used to establish these requirements was the Cassini orbiter mission to Saturn. Requirements specific to two other missions (Outer Planet Orbiter/Probe and Comet Nucleus Sample Return) are also included. A list of references used to develop these requirements is provided. 17 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Rockwell International Corp., Canoga Park, CA (United States). Rocketdyne Div.
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
721000
Report Number(s):
DOE/NE/32129-T4
ON: TI91020262; IN: EID-00093
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-88NE32129
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: [1990]
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
07 ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES; 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES; DESIGN; SPACE VEHICLES; THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS; MISSION ANALYSIS; BUDGETS; SPECIFICATIONS; NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems

Citation Formats

Johnson, G., Determan, W., and Otting, W.. NASA low power DIPS [Dynamic Isotope Power System] conceptual design requirements document. United States: N. p., 1990. Web. doi:10.2172/721000.
Johnson, G., Determan, W., & Otting, W.. NASA low power DIPS [Dynamic Isotope Power System] conceptual design requirements document. United States. doi:10.2172/721000.
Johnson, G., Determan, W., and Otting, W.. Mon . "NASA low power DIPS [Dynamic Isotope Power System] conceptual design requirements document". United States. doi:10.2172/721000. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/721000.
@article{osti_721000,
title = {NASA low power DIPS [Dynamic Isotope Power System] conceptual design requirements document},
author = {Johnson, G. and Determan, W. and Otting, W.},
abstractNote = {This document describes the requirements for a low power (0.5--1.0 kwe) Dynamic Isotope Power System (DIPS) for interplanetary and space exploration missions using the Mariner Mark II spacecraft. The reference mission used to establish these requirements was the Cassini orbiter mission to Saturn. Requirements specific to two other missions (Outer Planet Orbiter/Probe and Comet Nucleus Sample Return) are also included. A list of references used to develop these requirements is provided. 17 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.},
doi = {10.2172/721000},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990},
month = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990}
}

Technical Report:

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  • This report describes the conceptual design and integration of a low power (0.5 to 1.0 kWe) Dynamic Isotope Power System (DIPS) Low Power (LPD) with the Mariner Mark II (MMII) spacecraft for use on interplanetary and space exploration missions as an alternative to RTGs. A detailed MMII/LPD system description is provided that discusses, among other things, the design requirements, design point selection, system layout and spacecraft integration, mechanical design, electrical system design, interface assessments, reliability, and safety. Performance characteristics are given for the reference 500 We LPD using a peak cycle temperature of 1100 K. Parametrics are provided giving themore » LPD performance characteristics at power levels up to 1.0 kWe and peak cycle temperatures as high as 1300 K. A side-by-side comparison of the LPD performance with the RTG performance is provided. Finally, program plans, costs, and schedules are provided giving the overall plan for design, development, fabrication, qualification, and acceptance of the LPD system.« less
  • The design requirements for the Nuclear Integrated Multimission Spacecraft. (NIMS) are discussed in detail. The requirements are a function of mission specifications, payload, control system requirements, electric system specifications, and cost limitations. (LCL)
  • The status of the effort to apply MULTI-FOIL thermal insulation in an effective manner to the Ground Development System (GDS) is reviewed. Heat loss measurements made on cylindrical and elbow heat sources using ''Tape'' and ''Conventional'' MULTI-FOIL indicate that the thermal losses are comparable on a per layer basis. However, use of the tape incurs a weight penalty, per layer, of about 20 percent. The effective thermal emissivity of the nickel layer/zirconia powder MULTI-FOIL is approximately 0.32. Parametric studies of GDS insulation losses (using a computer program developed for this purpose) indicate: (1) that the Heat Source Assembly (HSA) heatmore » losses are a major fraction of the total and (2) that a significant reduction in heat loss is possible by optimizing the distribution of foil layers. A meltdown test of a miniature HSA configuration suggests that additional MULTI-FOIL layers can be safety added to the HSA insulation. Test data indicate that ''Electroformed'' MULTI-FOIL insulation assemblies (as a consequence of decreased edge loss and lower foil emissivity) are approximately four times as effective as either ''Conventional'' or ''Tape'' MULTI-FOIL packages on a weight basis. Preliminary GDS insulation design and planning have been completed.« less
  • The design of the 30-kWt isotope heat source integrated with a Rankine boiler and a Brayton gas heater, which was described in the preceding paper in these proceedings, was subjected to structural, thermal, and safety analyses. The present paper describes and discusses the results of these analyses. Detailed structural analyses of the heat source integrated with the boiler and gas heater showed positive safety margins at all locations during the launch. Detailed thermal analyses showed acceptable temperatures at all locations, during assembly, transfer and orbital operations. Reentry thermal analyses showed that the clads have acceptable peak and impact temperatures. Loss-of-coolingmore » analyses indicated the feasibility of a passive safety concept for preventing over temperatures. Static structural analysis showed positive safety margins at all locations, and dynamic analysis showed that there were no low-frequency resources. Continuum-mechanics code analyses of the effects of the impact of Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) fragments on the heat source and of the very unlikely impact of the full heat source on concrete indicated relatively modest fuel clad deformations and little or no fuel release.« less
  • Test procedures are formulated to ensure that the alternator stator, P/N 719134, satisfies the requirements set forth within the KIPS Technology Verification Plan.