AEROSHELL RE-ENTRY AND MATERIAL TESTING FOR THE EUROPEAN SPACE NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAM

摘要

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.