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Progress Towards the Development of a Long-Lived Venus Lander Duplex SystemNASA has begun the development of a combined Stirling cycle power and cooling system (duplex) to enable the long-lived surface exploration of Venus and other harsh environments in the solar system. The duplex system will operate from the heat provided by decaying radioisotope plutonium-238 or its substitute. Since the surface of Venus has a thick, hot, and corrosive atmosphere, it is a challenging proposition to maintain sensitive lander electronics under survivable conditions. This development effort requires the integration of: a radioisotope or fission heat source; heat pipes; high-temperature, corrosion-resistant material; multistage cooling; a novel free-displacer Stirling convertor for the lander; and a minimal vibration thermoacoustic Stirling convertor for the seismometer. The first year effort includes conceptual system design and control studies, materials development, and prototype hardware testing. A summary of these findings and test results is presented in this report.
Document ID
20110012899
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Dyson, Rodger, W.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Bruder, Geoffrey A.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 2011
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA Paper 2010-6917
NASA/TM-2011-217018
E-17389-1
Meeting Information
Meeting: 8th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference (IECEC)
Location: Nashville, Tn
Country: United States
Start Date: July 25, 2010
End Date: July 28, 2010
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 138494.04.01.03
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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