Publication Date:
2019-07-13
Description:
NASA 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.
Keywords:
Spacecraft Propulsion and Power
Type:
NASA/TM-2011-217018
,
AIAA Paper 2010-6917
,
E-17389-1
,
8th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference (IECEC); Jul 25, 2010 - Jul 28, 2010; Nashville, Tn; United States
Format:
application/pdf
