Reliability assurance of turbine energy conversion systems

The Dynamic Isotope Power System (DIPS) is a 6-k (electric) space power system utilizing a 238Pu radioisotope heat source and a dual redundant closed Brayton cycle power conversion assembly. The DIPS program is currently funded to design, fabricate, and test a ground demonstration engineering unit. Primary objectives of the test will be to validate design and demonstrate performance and lifetime. The DIPS is one application of a broader group of space power systems known as turbine energy conversion systems (TECS). The TECS couples closed-cycle Brayton energy conversion systems to either a radioisotope, reactor, or solar collector heat source to provide an efficient source of power for a wide spectrum of civilian and military space missions. This paper describes the reliability assurance program for the DIPS that will demonstrate that the highly reliable TECS will be available for space operation in the last decade of this century