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Advanced Radioisotope Power Conversion Technology Research and DevelopmentNASA's Radioisotope Power Conversion Technology program is developing next generation power conversion technologies that will enable future missions that have requirements that cannot be met by either the ubiquitous photovoltaic systems or by current Radioisotope Power System (RPS) technology. Performance goals of advanced radioisotope power systems include improvement over the state-of-practice General Purpose Heat Source/Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator by providing significantly higher efficiency to reduce the number of radioisotope fuel modules, and increase specific power (watts/kilogram). Other Advanced RPS goals include safety, long-life, reliability, scalability, multi-mission capability, resistance to radiation, and minimal interference with the scientific payload. NASA has awarded ten contracts in the technology areas of Brayton, Stirling, Thermoelectric, and Thermophotovoltaic power conversion including five development contracts that deal with more mature technologies and five research contracts. The Advanced RPS Systems Assessment Team includes members from NASA GRC, JPL, DOE and Orbital Sciences whose function is to review the technologies being developed under the ten Radioisotope Power Conversion Technology contracts and assess their relevance to NASA's future missions. Presented is an overview of the ten radioisotope power conversion technology contracts and NASA's Advanced RPS Systems Assessment Team.
Document ID
20050019223
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Wong, Wayne A.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 2004
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
E-14820
AIAA Paper 2004-5515
NASA/TM-2004-213352
Meeting Information
Meeting: Second International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference
Location: Providence, RI
Country: United States
Start Date: August 16, 2004
End Date: August 19, 2004
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 22-972-30-03
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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