Overview of the integration and operation of the USA/9904/B(U)F-85 RTG transportation system (RTGTS) for Cassini and future missions

Abstract

The USA/9904/B(U)F-85, Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Transportation System (RTGTS) was designed and tested by Westinghouse Hanford Company but was transferred to EG&G Mound Applied Technologies to transport Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) in support of the Cassini mission. EG&G Mound Applied Technologies is also the RTGTS custodian. Since the RTGTS is a new system, careful scrutiny must be applied not only to the integration of the system into Mound’s operations but also the operation of the system so as to prevent any adverse affects to the performance of the RTGs. This paper details specific precautions that have been applied to the integration and operation of the RTGTS to protect the Cassini RTGs during loading, onloading, transportation, offloading, and unloading.