Cooling a radioisotope power source in the space shuttle orbiter

Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), used to generate electrical power on outer planetary spacecraft, are presently planned for a January 1982 launch of Galileo and later for a February 1983 launch. The RTGs will be externally located on a spacecraft to be deployed from the Space Shuttle orbiter. Each RTG rejects nearly 2.5 kW (8500 Btu/hr) of thermal energy. From the time the RTGs are loaded into the payload bay until the doors are opened one to three hours after launch, active cooling will maintain proper temperature limits. This paper includes a description of two types of RTGs and the various cooling concepts considered. The payload cooling capability of the Shuttle orbiter and modifications required to accommodate the RTGs are discussed. The analytical technique for determining the heat load split between the orbiter environment and RTG coolant is also presented. 4 refs