RTG Radiator Efficiency in the Presence of Lunar Dust
Publication: Earth and Space 2022
ABSTRACT
The accumulation of lunar dust on various surfaces is the subject of much recent study, yet is still poorly understood. Recent plans to return humans to the Moon as part of the Artemis program mean that the presence of robust infrastructure to support a permanent human presence is inevitable. Power supply systems, such as radioisotope thermoelectric generators are a likely part of that infrastructure, but require radiative thermal dissipation through a series of radiator fins to function effectively. In this work, the results of a parametric study of the impact on radiator efficiency due to various quantities and types of lunar dust simulants are presented, determining that the impact from low levels of lunar dust accumulation is not significantly detrimental to the efficiency of multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator performance in a vacuum, but increased fidelity of data would improve these findings.
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Earth and Space 2022
Pages: 160 - 175
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Published online: Jan 5, 2023
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