GPHS-RTG Response to Challenger Type Accident
GPHS-RTG Response to Challenger Type Accident
The question: What would have been the response of the General Purpose Heat Source Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (GPHS-RTH) on the Galileo spacecraft if they had been on board the Space Shuttle Challenger at the time of its accident, is addressed. Based on the evidence available and the evaluations made from this evidence, the environments resulting from the Challenger accident were not sufficiently severe to threaten the integrity of the RTGs. The conclusion from this evaluation is that had the GPHS-RTGs been aboard the Challenger during its accident, they would have been released intact from the Orbiter and would have separated from the spacecraft. The RTGs would then have fallen and impacted in the ocean with no failure of the fueled clads nor release of any of the radioactive fuel. Thus, if the RTGs had been on board the Challenger, there would not have been any damage to the RTGs of any significance as a result of the accident. The evidence and evaluations that led to this conclusion are discussed.
Dokumentinformationen
GPHS-RTG Response to Challenger Type Accident
1989
26 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
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