Title :
From SNAP 3 to IMP--The Evolution of Space Isotopic Power
Author :
Morse, Jerome G. ; Fink, Charles R.
Author_Institution :
Small Power Systems Department Nuclear Division Martin Company
fDate :
4/1/1964 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
By today´s standards, the radioisotope-fueled thermoelectric generators launched in 1961 were both crude and heavy. Yet much of SNAP 3, as those units were designated, lives on in their progeny. This paper discusses SNAPs 3, 9A, 11 and the IMP (Interplanetary Monitoring Probe) generators, emphasizing the unique and developmental features of each, as well as those time-tested, operationally successful features which have remained unchanged after close official scrutiny.
Keywords :
Fuels; Monitoring; Nuclear power generation; Power generation; Power system management; Power system reliability; Power systems; Radio transmitters; Thermoelectricity; Voltage;
Journal_Title :
Aerospace, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TA.1964.4319648
