Technical Paper
Mechanical Testing Studies on Niobium-1%zirconium in Association with Its Application as Cell Wall Material in an AMTEC Based Radioisotope Space Power System
1999-08-02
1999-01-2608
A new generation of radioisotope space power systems based on AMTEC (Alkali Metal Thermal to Electrical Conversion) technology is presently being developed. The future application of this technology, as the electrical power system for outer planet deep space missions, is ultimately dependent on it being robust enough to withstand the mission’s operational environments (high temperatures, dynamic loadings, long mission durations etc). One of the critical material selections centers on the cell wall whose physical and chemical properties must provide it with sufficient strength and material compatibility to successfully complete the mission. Niobium-1%zirconium has been selected as the cell wall material for application in the new radioisotope space power system being developed as part of the ARPS (Advanced Radioisotope Power System) program being supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and NASA.
