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ESA to fund its own RTG studies?
Paolo
post Feb 15 2010, 08:33 PM
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according to Flight International UK could use plutonium in space nuclear power demonstration
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Drkskywxlt
post Jul 9 2010, 03:43 PM
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http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1007/09rtg/

ESA is getting serious about starting their own RTG production, with one official saying:
QUOTE
Southwood said in an interview with Spaceflight Now. "We are building for a pretty major capability being available in Europe in the 2020s."


However, ESA is looking at using americium, which produces less power and more neutron radiation. No explanation is given as to why that and not Pu-238.

NASA does not have enough Pu-238 for JEO currently, but will if the contract to buy plutonium from Russia can be renegotiated. Russia wants more money since they have the monopoly on plutonium. If those contracts are fulfilled, then there will be plenty for JEO.

Still waiting on approval of US restart of Pu-238 production.
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stevesliva
post Jul 9 2010, 04:03 PM
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QUOTE (Drkskywxlt @ Jul 9 2010, 11:43 AM) *
However, ESA is looking at using americium, which produces less power and more neutron radiation. No explanation is given as to why that and not Pu-238.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americium-241

Since it's used in smoke detectors, there must be an industrial supply of it.
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Drkskywxlt
post Jul 9 2010, 04:11 PM
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QUOTE (stevesliva @ Jul 9 2010, 12:03 PM) *
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americium-241

Since it's used in smoke detectors, there must be an industrial supply of it.


Good thought...that may be it. But the article also mentions that ESA will talk to the nuke industries in the UK and France for guidance on how to begin. Maybe that's just for the RTGs themselves as opposed to the fuel?
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