Other
Scientific paper
Jan 1998
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1998aipc..420.1119b&link_type=abstract
Space technology and applications international forum - 1998. AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 420, pp. 1119-1124 (1998).
Other
Thermoelectric, Electrogasdynamic And Other Direct Energy Conversion
Scientific paper
Future NASA spacecraft for unmanned planetary exploration will be much smaller and require much less power than the large systems used in prior missions. The ``Powerstick'', a miniaturized isotopic electrical power generator, uses a flight-qualified, DoE-manufactured, 1.1 W Radioisotope Heater Unit (RHU) to generate the high temperature sink for a thermoelectric converter (TEC). The TEC generates sufficient electrical power (~40 mW) to trickle-charge an external rechargeable battery pack, which can then be used in low duty cycle, low power applications. The original Powerstick concept (proposed by JPL) was refined at Swales Aerospace (SA), which has: repackaged it, constructed a prototype, and performed limited testing. The prototype Powerstick is 63.5 mm (2.500'') in diameter, 76.2 mm (3.000'') long, and weighs about 0.3 kg (0.66 lb). Structural analysis indicates the Powerstick can easily survive typical launch loads. Thermal analysis indicates that over 70% of the RHU energy enters the TEC. This paper will describe the design and analysis of the Powerstick prototype and present the key test results.
Bugby David C.
McBirney Thomas R.
No associations
LandOfFree
The development of a milliwatt-level radioisotope power source 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 The development of a milliwatt-level radioisotope power source, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The development of a milliwatt-level radioisotope power source will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1652343