Space Exploration; Power Sources for Deep Space Probes

Abstract

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched its nuclear powered Cassini spacecraft on October 15, 1997, on a 12 year mission to Saturn. You asked that we review the use of nuclear power systems for Cassini and other space missions. As agreed with your office, this report (1) describes the processes NASA used to assess the safety and environmental risks associated with the Cassini mission, (2) describes NASA'S efforts to consider the use of a non-nuclear power source for the Cassini mission, (3) identifies the federal investment associated with the development of non-nuclear power sources for deep space missions, and (4) identifies NASA's planned future nuclear powered space missions. On December 11,1997, we briefed your staff on the results of our work. This report discusses and updates the information presented at that briefing.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA348474

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Congress
  • Deep Space
  • Department Of Defense
  • Electricity
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Fuel Cells
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Law
  • Materials
  • Nuclear Materials
  • Orbits
  • Radioactive Materials
  • Safety Analysis
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Panels
  • Spacecraft Components

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Business Analytics
  • Maritime and Naval Warfare Studies
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites