Response of the GPHS/RTG system to potential launch accident environments

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Thermoelectric, Electrogasdynamic And Other Direct Energy Conversion, Other Topics In Electronics, Radiowave And Microwave Technology, And Direct Energy Conversion And Storage

Scientific paper

The Cassini spacecraft is designed to carry out an orbital tour of the Saturnian system and an investigation of the planet, its satellites, atmosphere, and its ring system. The space vehicle is powered by three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) which are mounted normal to the thrust axis of the vehicle. The nuclear heat source for each RTG consists of a stacked column of eighteen General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) modules. Each module primarily consists of an aeroshell, two Graphite Impact Shells (GIS), and four Fueled Clads (FC). Each FC consists of a fuel pellet of plutonium-238 in the form of the oxide PuO2 encased in an iridium shell which serves to contain the fuel. An extensive program of experimental tests and analyses was conducted in support of previous missions (Galileo and Ulysses) which served to calibrate and validate the PISCES 2D-ELK continuum mechanics code. This paper describes the response of the GPHS-RTG system to a large number of potential launch accident environments employing the MSC/PISCES Euler Lagrange shell coupled hydrocode as an analytical tool. The results of these calculations quantified the integrity of the iridium clad fuel containment system and provided a data base for a determination of the overall risk for the Cassini mission by others.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Response of the GPHS/RTG system to potential launch accident environments does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Response of the GPHS/RTG system to potential launch accident environments, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Response of the GPHS/RTG system to potential launch accident environments will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1652422

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.