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Title:
Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator: Design Processes, Reliability Analyses Impacts, and Extended Operation Tests
Authors:
Ha, Chuong T.; Fernandez, René; Cornford, Steven L.; Feather, Martin S.
Affiliation:
AA(Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. chuong.haatlmco.com), AB(NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135), AC(NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109), AD(NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109)
Publication:
SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL FORUM-STAIF 2008: 12th Conference on Thermophysics Applications in Microgravity; 1st Symposium on Space Resource Utilization; 25th Symposium on Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion; 6th Conference on Human/Robotic Technology and the Vision for Space Exploration; 6th Symposium on Space Colonization; 5th Symposium on New Frontiers and Future Concept. AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 969, pp. 458-465 (2008). (AIPC Homepage)
Publication Date:
01/2008
Origin:
AIP
PACS Keywords:
Design of experiments, Industrial and technological research and development
Abstract Copyright:
(c) 2008: American Institute of Physics
DOI:
10.1063/1.2845003
Bibliographic Code:
2008AIPC..969..458H

Abstract

NASA is currently funding an effort involving the Department of Energy (DOE), Lockheed Martin (LM), Glenn Research Center (GRC), and Sunpower (SP), Inc. to develop a high specific power Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG). GRC and SP are responsible for providing the Stirling convertor, while LM is responsible for the generator housing, controller, and system integration. GRC also provides supporting technologies for various components as well as extended operation testing, both in air and in a thermal vacuum environment. Because of the 17-year life requirement of the ASRG, reliability considerations are the main design driver. Components such as the heater head, fasteners, magnets, and planar spring have been studied to ensure high reliability. To encompass unique design features, long lifetimes and extreme environmental conditions, both reliability analyses and qualification tests are used to support the design process. This paper presents an overview of the ASRG reliability approach and the impact of the Reliability Working Group (RWG) on the recently finished design effort. It also provides a summary of current and planned extended operation tests, specifically targeted to demonstrate long-life capability and to support further reliability assessment. In the event of no, or minimal failures during these extended tests, a Weibayes approach will be used to create a trend of improving reliability predictions.
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