Radioisotope Heater Unit Prototype Development

To design and manufacture an (electrically heated) Radioisotppe Heater Unit (RHU) prototype. The cladding and aeroshell materials and structures would also be applicable to larger heat source applications (e.g. for RTGs and Stirling radioisotope power systems). To perform standard environmental testing e.g. vibration, thermal cycling, system level functional testing in a representative environment. Additional more advanced testing (e.g. impact) could be also considered. To design and manufacture a simulant radioisotope pellet (using surrogate nonactive material).  

The development of radioisotope heater units (RHUs) is critically important as a key enabling technology for future planetary and deep space missions. These devices reduce the need to use electrical power to keep systems within nominal temperature ranges, save on using electrical power in power-constrained missions and reduce electromagnetic interference generated by electrical heating systems. In particular, the following tasks will be done in the frame of this activity:Consolidate and critically review the existing RHU design.Refine and modify the RHU design as necessary, using computermodelling techniques to determine predicted performances.Manufacture a RHU prototype, not containing nuclear materials but utilising suitable surrogate pellets materials and electrical heating systems.Test the RHU prototype under appropriate environments (vibration and thermal cycling at minimum). Accident scenario, e.g. impact testing is could be considered.