Published 1989 | Version v1
Book

Requirements and designs for Mars Rover RTGs

  • 1. Fairchild Space Co., Germantown, MD (USA)
  • 2. Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, CA (USA)

Description

The current-generation RTGs (both GPHS and MOD) are designed for operation in a vacuum environment. The multifoil thermal insulation used in those RTGs only functions well in a good vacuum. Current RTGs are designed to operate with an inert cover gas before launch, and to be vented to space vacuum after launch. This paper describes a typical Rover mission, its requirements, the environment it imposes on the RTG, and design approach for making the RTG operable in such an environment. Specific RTG designs for various thermoelectric element alternatives are presented

Additional details

Publishing Information

Publisher
IEEE Service Center.
Imprint Place
Piscataway, NJ (USA)
Imprint Title
Proceedings of the 24th intersociety energy conversion engineering conference. Volume 6
Imprint Pagination
2950 p.
Series
Post-deadline papers and index.
Journal Page Range
p. 2681-2692.

Conference

Title
24. intersociety energy conversion engineering conference.
Dates
6-11 Aug 1989.
Place
Arlington, VA (USA).

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
United States
INIS RN
21051338
Subject category
S30: DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; S07: ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Conference
Descriptors DEI
OPERATION; RADIOISOTOPE BATTERIES; RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES; SPACE VEHICLES; SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES; SPECIFICATIONS; THERMODYNAMICS; THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
Descriptors DEC
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS; ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT; ENERGY SOURCES; EQUIPMENT; POWER SUPPLIES

Optional Information

Notes
Imprint:Paper 899635.
Secondary number(s)
CONF-890815--.