Radioisotope Power Systems
For Mission Planners
NASA's Radioisotope Power Systems Program, in partnership with the Office of Space and Defense Power Systems at the Department of Energy, offers mission concept developers access to planning and user guides for RPS systems.
MMRTG Mission Planner Data Package
- Only one new individual per organization will be granted access to the data package.
- The definition of an "organization" is subject to the discretion of the RPS Program and Department of Energy (i.e., a large company with major offices on the east and west coasts may be permitted to have one library member per office).
Additional Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship (Non-US Citizens are not permitted to access the data package)
- Demonstrate valid need for data package
- To be considered for approval, applicants must complete and return the following form to NASA-RPS@mail.nasa.gov
Lightweight Radioisotope Heater Unit (LWRHU) User Guide
This user’s guide provides an overview of Light Weight Radioisotope Heater Units (LWRHU),
including aspects of its physical design and performance under normal operations. This guide also
identifies the planning and execution involved in launching a nuclear payload. Physical characteristics,
interfaces, and environmental characteristics of the LWRHU are discussed in detail. Information relating
to project management interfaces and effort are also addressed.
RPS Dose Estimation Tool
The RPS Dose Estimation Tool (RPS-DET) is a software application created to simplify the process of designing, simulating, and analyzing ionizing radiation phenomena associated with RPS.
RPS-DET leverages the SCALE nuclear software suite as a foundation for Monte Carlo particle transport, isotopic decay, source term generation, and data visualization. Users with or without radiation modeling experience can now use RPS-DET’s customizable, library-based architecture to select from multiple pre-written RPS designs and components, place them in various environmental scenarios — terrestrial, planetary, spacecraft, etc. — and specify fuel compositions and ages.
The simulations can be used to estimate 3D instantaneous particle fluxes and dose rates or time-integrated fluences and doses generated by an RPS over a complex mission lifetime. Detailed information regarding RPS-DET and SCALE capabilities, applications, and resources can be found at the links below.
This form shall be filled out by an individual requesting access to the RPS-Dose Estimation Tool. Completion of this form will initiate the applicant review process, which determines whether the applicant meets the access requirements.
Reference Information:
- RPS-DET User Manual
- RPS-DET Helpline: rpsdethelp@ornl.gov
- SCALE
Contact
For more information, please email NASA-RPS@mail.nasa.gov or rpsdethelp@ornl.gov.
