Aeroshell re-entry and material testing for the european space nuclear power program

Richard M. Ambrosi*, Alessandra Barco, Hugo Williams, Emily Jane Watkinson, Christophe Fongarland, Martin Libessart, Dominique Conte, Rose Marie Besnier, Thierry Pichon, Daniel P. Kramer, Chadwick Barklay, Keith Stephenson, Benjamin Foxcroft, Ramy Mesalam

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG) and heater units (RHU) systems are under development in Europe as part of a European Space Agency (ESA) program. The architectures for both RTG heat sources and RHUs have been evaluated under re-entry conditions as part to determine how the architecture would cope with launch safety re-entry scenarios considered as part of the ESA project. As a consequence of the modelling exercise, a number of carbon-carbon composite materials were selected to manufacture RTG and RHU aeroshells. These carbon-carbon composite materials have been subjected to laser ablation testing for primary screening and to determine thermal performance. Initial results of the models and laser testing are presented. Outline of some of the testing capabilities in Europe is provided.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2018
PublisherAmerican Nuclear Society
Pages158-161
Number of pages4
ISBN (Print)9781510859609
Publication statusPublished - 2016
EventNuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2018 - Las Vegas, United States
Duration: 26 Feb 20181 Mar 2018

Publication series

NameNuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2018

Conference

ConferenceNuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLas Vegas
Period26/02/181/03/18

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
European Space Agency for funding the research program. Sue Horne and Nick Cox from the UK Space Agency for supporting this research program.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 American Nuclear Society. All Rights Reserved.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering

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