Abstract
The General-Purpose Heat Source Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (GPHS-RTG) has been the workhorse nuclear power source of the space science community for over 20 years having powered such challenging missions as Galileo, Ulysses, Cassini and New Horizons. At ≥300 We beginning of life (BOL) power, the GPHS-RTG is the highestpowered radioisotope power source (RPS) ever flown with the highest specific power (5.3 We/kg). However, recent changes in the design of the GPHS fuel modules would reduce the number of modules that could be emplaced in the GPHS-RTG thereby reducing the power. This paper explores several options including modifications to the converter housing and the insulation that could reclaim the advantages of the GPHS-RTG even with the new thicker, heavier GPHS modules. Coupled with the existence of over 3,100 GPHS-RTG thermoelectric elements (“unicouples”) it would be possible to power future outer planet missions with the performance advantages of the original GPHS-RTG.
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