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Test Program for Stirling Radioisotope Generator Hardware at NASA Glenn Research CenterStirling-based energy conversion technology has demonstrated the potential of high efficiency and low mass power systems for future space missions. This capability is beneficial, if not essential, to making certain deep space missions possible. Significant progress was made developing the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG), a 140-watt radioisotope power system. A variety of flight-like hardware, including Stirling convertors, controllers, and housings, was designed and built under the ASRG flight development project. To support future Stirling-based power system development NASA has proposals that, if funded, will allow this hardware to go on test at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). While future flight hardware may not be identical to the hardware developed under the ASRG flight development project, many components will likely be similar, and system architectures may have heritage to ASRG. Thus the importance of testing the ASRG hardware to the development of future Stirling-based power systems cannot be understated. This proposed testing will include performance testing, extended operation to establish an extensive reliability database, and characterization testing to quantify subsystem and system performance and better understand system interfaces. This paper details this proposed test program for Stirling radioisotope generator hardware at NASA GRC. It explains the rationale behind the proposed tests and how these tests will meet the stated objectives.
Document ID
20140017748
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lewandowski, Edward J.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Bolotin, Gary S.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Oriti, Salvatore M.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Date Acquired
December 30, 2014
Publication Date
July 28, 2014
Subject Category
Engineering (General)
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN15662
Meeting Information
Meeting: Propulsion and Energy Forum 2014
Location: Cleveland, OH
Country: United States
Start Date: July 28, 2014
End Date: July 30, 2014
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 138494.01.99.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Energy Conversion
Space Missions
Stirling Cycle
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