Influence of the Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) on the local atmospheric environment

RD Lorenz, ES Clarke - Planetary and Space Science, 2020 - Elsevier
A survey around a recently-fueled MMRTG in the terrestrial atmosphere finds a warm air
plume with a characteristic updraft velocity of~ 1 m/s and a temperature rise of~ 4​ K …

A novel high-performance mission-enabling multi-purpose radioisotope heat source

MJ Durka, JP Fleurial, SE Wielgosz… - 2022 IEEE …, 2022 - ieeexplore.ieee.org
Recent studies indicate science mission concepts targeting access to the sub-surface
oceans of icy moons require ice-penetrating cryobots powered by advanced Radioisotope …

The low electrical conductivity of Titan's lower atmosphere

RD Lorenz - Icarus, 2021 - Elsevier
Titan's near-surface atmosphere, with a relatively high density and with weak ion production
by cosmic rays or other sources, likely has a lower electrical conductivity than the Earth's …

Criticality Calculations for Step‐2 GPHS Modules

RJ Lipinski, DL Hensen - AIP Conference Proceedings, 2008 - pubs.aip.org
The Multi‐Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) will use an improved
version of the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) module as its source of thermal power …

Modeling Ionizing Radiation for Spaceflight Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems

MBR Smith, MW Swinney… - 2022 IEEE Aerospace …, 2022 - ieeexplore.ieee.org
This paper presents methods, simulations, and analyses for spaceflight ionizing radiation
exposures to three dynamic radioisotope power systems (DRPSs). The specific systems …

Characterization of 238puo2 Neutron and Gamma Radiation Based on the Latest Nuclear Database

C Haodong, Z Yingzeng, Z Changfan, H Chen… - Available at SSRN … - papers.ssrn.com
Abstract Plutonium-238 (238Pu) has served as an optimal fuel for radioisotope heat sources
in numerous space and planetary exploration missions for more than 60 years. However …