NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) MMRTG In-Flight: A Power UpdateThe MSL Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) was fueled on October 28, 2008 by the Department Of Energy (DOE) in preparation for a late 2009 launch. Shortly after, the MSL launch was delayed approximately 2 years until 2011. The fueled MMRTG was placed in storage to await the new date for liftoff. Occasional measurements of the MMRTG's power output were taken and compared with power predictions that pre-dated fueling. An error in the predictive models was quickly recognized and remedied. The resultant predictions, while improved, carried significant uncertainty. This uncertainty did not deter the launch of MSL, but did alter the planned mission on the surface of Mars. Once launched, the MSL spacecraft provided a hi-fidelity telemetry stream measuring the generator's electrical and thermal performance. These data were used to update the predictive models and a new prediction of the performance of the MMRTG on the surface of Mars was run just before Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) at Mars. The MSL MMRTG is working extremely well, providing power above predictions and operating within its flight allowable temperature limits. The generator was producing approximately 114 W at the beginning of the surface mission. This paper will elaborate on power modeling for the MSL MMRTG along with a review of some of the data recorded from the MSL cruise to Mars, EDL, and the early days of the surface mission.
Document ID
20150008726
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Woerner, David
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Moreno, Victor
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Jones, Loren
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Zimmerman, Robert
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Wood, Eric
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
May 21, 2015
Publication Date
February 25, 2013
Subject Category
Electronics And Electrical Engineering
Meeting Information
Meeting: Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Country: United States
Start Date: February 25, 2013
End Date: February 28, 2013
Sponsors: American Nuclear Society
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
thermoelectric
generator
in-space power
radioisotope

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available