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Safe atmosphere entry of an isotope heat source with a single stable trim attitude at hypersonic speedsA theoretical investigation has been made to design an isotope heat source capable of satisfying the conflicting thermal requirements of steady-state operation and atmosphere entry. The isotope heat source must transfer heat efficiently to a heat exchange during normal operation with a power system in space, and in the event of a mission abort, it must survive the thermal environment of atmosphere entry and ground impact without releasing radioactive material. A successful design requires a compatible integration of the internal components of the heat source with the external aerodynamic shape. To this end, configurational, aerodynamic, motion, and thermal analyses were coupled and iterated during atmosphere entries at suborbital through superorbital velocities at very shallow and very steep entry angles. Results indicate that both thermal requirements can be satisfied by a heat source which has a single stable aerodynamic orientation at hypersonic speeds. For such a design, the insulation material required to adequately protect the isotope fuel from entry heating need extend only half way around the fuel capsule on the aerodynamically stable (wind-ward) side of the heat source. Thus, a low-thermal-resistance, conducting heat path is provided on the opposite side of the heat source through which heat can be transferred to an adjacent heat exchanger during normal operation without exceeding specified temperature limits.
Document ID
19720017344
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other - NASA Technical Note (TN)
Authors
Levy, L. L., Jr. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Burns, R. K. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 2, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1972
Subject Category
Aerodynamics
Report/Patent Number
A-4342
NASA-TN-D-6833
Accession Number
72N24994
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 111-05-31-01-00-21
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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