Published January 1997 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

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

Creators

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

Description

The LWRHU is a 238PuO2 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 238PuO2 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 1997 American Institute of Physics

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
AIP Conference Proceedings
Journal Volume
387
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
p. 1375-1380
ISSN
0094-243X
CODEN
APCPCS

Conference

Title
Space technology and applications international forum (STAIF - 97)
Dates
26-30 Jan 1997
Place
Albuquerque, NM (United States)

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
United States
INIS RN
29047870
Subject category
S42: ENGINEERING; S30: DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; S07: ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Conference
Descriptors DEI
DESIGN; FABRICATION; FUEL PELLETS; PLUTONIUM 238; POWER RANGE 01-10 W; RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES; SPACE VEHICLES
Descriptors DEC
ACTINIDE NUCLEI; ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; BETA-PLUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES; EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI; HEAT SOURCES; HEAVY ION DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; HEAVY NUCLEI; ISOTOPES; NUCLEI; PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES; POWER RANGE; RADIOISOTOPES; SILICON 32 DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES; VEHICLES; WATT POWER RANGE; YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES

Optional Information

Secondary number(s)
CONF-970115--