Abstract
Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTG) have been used by NASA to reliably power spacecraft for deep space exploration for over 40 years. Current state of the practice systems are limited to device-level efficiencies of 7.5% or less and system level specific powers of 2.8 to 5.1 W/Kg. NASA’s Radioisotope Power Systems Thermoelectric Technology Development Program (TTDP) is pursuing development of more efficient thermoelectric technologies that can increase performance by a factor of 2 to 4x over these state of the practice systems1. NASA’s TTDP is developing high-efficiency segmented couples/modules with the following design goals: A) system conversion efficiency ≥ 11% (≥ 60% improvement over MMRTG at BOL) and b) ≥ 6-8.5 We/kg specific power (2-3 x improvement over MMRTG), for a temperature gradient T = 800 K (TH=1273 K and TC = 473 K). We will be discussing the state of development of the aforementioned couples and the tools that are used to guide this development. First-principle calculations and Finite Element Thermomechanical analysis are used to guide materials selection and device architecture, while extended device testing is utilized to establish couple reliability and stability.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2018 |
Publisher | American Nuclear Society |
Pages | 174-177 |
Number of pages | 4 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781510859609 |
State | Published - 2016 |
Event | Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2018 - Las Vegas, United States Duration: Feb 26 2018 → Mar 1 2018 |
Publication series
Name | Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2018 |
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Other
Other | Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2018 |
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Country | United States |
City | Las Vegas |
Period | 2/26/18 → 3/1/18 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Aerospace Engineering
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Nuclear Energy and Engineering