MHW-RTG
The Multihundred-Watt radioisotope thermoelectric generators (MHW RTG) is a type of US radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) developed for the Voyager spacecraft.[1]
Each RTG had a total weight of 37.7 kg including about 4.5 kg of Pu-238.[2] It uses 24 pressed plutonium-238 oxide spheres and provides enough heat to generate approximately 157 watts of electrical power initially - halving every 87.7 years.
Each RTG generated about 2400 Watts of thermal power.[3] Conversion of the decay heat of the plutonium to electrical power used 312 silicon-germanium (SiGe) thermoelectric couples. The initial thermoelectric couple hot junction temperature was 1273 K (1832 °F) with a cold junction temperature of 573 K (572 °F).[4]
Each Voyager spacecraft has 3 RTGs. Collectively, the RTGs supplied each Voyager spacecraft with 470 watts at launch.[5][6]
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RTG heat source unit
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RTG diagram 1
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RTG unit
MHW-RTGs were used on the Lincoln Experimental Satellites 8 & 9, and to this day continue to provide power on Voyager 1 and Voyager 2.
Subsequent US spacecraft used the GPHS-RTG which used similar SiGe thermoelectic devices but a different packaging of the fuel.
References
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- ↑ "Space Nuclear Power" G.L.Bennett 2006
- ↑ http://www.totse.com/en/technology/space_astronomy_nasa/spacnuke.html
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