Here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, organized for clarity:
What is being developed?
An Americium-Radioisotope Stirling Generator.
What is the purpose of this generator?
To provide a long-lived, compact, and efficient power source for space missions, especially those in deep space or on celestial bodies where sunlight is scarce.
It’s intended for robotic spacecraft,future crewed missions,and lunar surface operations.
What is the key fuel source?
Why Americium-241?
Long half-life (432 years): This means it can provide power for decades.
More accessible production routes: Compared to plutonium-238,it’s easier and less expensive to produce at scale.
How does it work?
It uses a Stirling convertor.
Stirling convertor design:
Features floating pistons with no crankshaft or rotating bearings.
This design allows for continuous operation for decades with minimal wear.
Mimicking thermal output: Electrically heated devices are used to safely simulate the heat generated by americium decay for testing.
Key Features and Benefits Demonstrated:
Robustness and reliability: The system can withstand the failure of one Stirling convertor without a loss of electrical power. This is crucial for missions where power loss is unacceptable.
Long-term operation: Capable of operating for many decades.
Efficiency targets met: The current prototype has met its performance and efficiency goals.
Advancement Status and Future Plans:
Prototype level achieved: The concept has been developed from a design to a prototype close to a flight version.
Successful testbed presentation: Researchers have successfully demonstrated the generator’s ability to continue producing power even with a convertor failure.
Next-generation testbed: NASA plans to develop a new testbed with:
Lower mass
Higher fidelity
Readiness for environmental testing (vibration, thermal cycling, vacuum).
Collaboration:
A synergy between NASA and the University of Leicester teams was instrumental in the project’s quick and inexpensive development.
Potential Applications:
Powering science instruments, landers, or small surface habitats on:
The Moon (especially in permanently shadowed craters).
The icy moons of Jupiter and saturn.
Other regions of the outer solar system and beyond.
Comparison to Plutonium-238:
Americium-241 is presented as a compelling alternative to plutonium-238 due to its longer half-life and more accessible production.
In essence, NASA is developing a new type of radioisotope power system using americium-241 and Stirling convertors, aiming for a highly reliable and long-lasting power source for future deep space exploration.