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Nuclear Auxiliary Power Unit for Lunar Exploration
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English
Abstract
A radioisotope-fueled thermoelectric generator is ideally suited to the nighttime power requirements of unmanned soft lunar landing experiments. A generator design capable of producing 25 w of electric power as well as sufficient thermal energy for environmental control of critical electronic components is described. Sufficient curium-242 may be encapsulated to provide an operational life of 90-120 days in a unit weighing 30 lb. This unit will extend the data gathering capability of the experiment with a significant weight advantage over conventional power supplies.
Authors
Citation
Wilson, R., Streb, A., and Bustard, T., "Nuclear Auxiliary Power Unit for Lunar Exploration," SAE Technical Paper 620486, 1962, https://doi.org/10.4271/620486.Also In
References
- Wilson R. J. Bustard T. S. “Conceptual Design of a Radioisotope - Fueled Thermoelectric Generator for the Surveyor Program,” American Nuclear Society Nucleonics in Flight Symposium March 1961
- Finger H. B. “The Case for Nuclear Power,” Nucleonics April 1961
- Wilson R. J. Bustard T. S. “Applicability of Radio-isotope-Fueled Thermoelectric Generators as Power Supplies for Unmanned Soft Lunar Landings,” AIEE Aero-Space Transportation Committee Conference June 1961