Establishing a Supply of Plutonium-238 and Associated Radioisotope Power Systems Capabilities and Policy Improvements — A Multi-part Success Story

Thomas Sutliff,Stephen G Johnson,Peter W Mccallum

doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.735c2861

Abstract

Establishing a Supply of Plutonium-238 and Associated Radioisotope Power Systems Capabilities and Policy Improvements — A Multi-part Success Story

Highlights

The radioisotope power systems (RPS) Program was established in 2009 to integrate and manage RPS investments for NASA to ensure RPS availability for the exploration of the solar system in environments where conventional solar or chemical power generation is impractical or impossible, such as where the Sun’s intensity is either too dim, obscured, or otherwise inadequate
The NASADOE partnership is formally established through an interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The most recent 2016 MOU reaffirms the roles of NASA and Department of Energy (DOE) in providing these space nuclear power systems for NASA’s missions, provide the basis for working together

Summary

Introduction

The RPS Program was established in 2009 to integrate and manage RPS investments for NASA to ensure RPS availability for the exploration of the solar system in environments where conventional solar or chemical power generation is impractical or impossible, such as where the Sun’s intensity is either too dim, obscured, or otherwise inadequate. This resulted in DOE establishing a multi-laboratory integrated plan that highlights production and infrastructure investments, opportunities for shared costs, and modernization of processes and facilities (Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) processing facilities, ORNL target fabrication, INL fueling and testing, etc.). This improved roadmap and communication allowed the DOE and NASA to shift to a production model that aimed to reduce mission risks and costs.

Results

Conclusion