Snap 10A Flight Test Instrumentation Performance

Abstract

The instrumentation on SNAP 10A, the world's first nuclear reactor space power system, was evaluated. Flight test information requirements, based on SNAPSHOT test experience, were summarized to provide criteria for judging instrument performance. Generally performance and reliability were good, but as with any initial flight test, instrumentation selected early in the program was not always optimum. These exceptions are emphasized. Larger flight test data errors caused changes in the relative usefulness of different types of instruments in flight compared to ground tests.