ADVANCED STIRLING CONVERTOR (ASC) IN-HOUSE TESTING
Radioisotope Power Systems > Advanced Stirling Convertor > In-House Testing
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Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASC) in thermal vacuum testing at Glenn Research Center (GRC). Courtesy NASA.
Extended operation of the ASC's is now underway at Glenn Research Center (GRC). GRC’s test facility includes six test stations for 24-hour unattended operation in air and a thermal vacuum chamber for 24-hour unattended operation, as well as other test stations for performance and controller testing. Currently, two hermetically sealed ASC's, operating at 650 °C hot-end temperature, are in extended operation in thermal vacuum testing while ASC's capable of 850 °C are currently in "in-air" extended operation. The in-air and thermal vacuum test articles are intended to provide convertor performance data over an extended operating time. These test articles mimic some features of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) without the requirement of low system mass. Operation in thermal vacuum adds the element of simulating deep space.
TDC's in extended operation at GRC. Courtesy NASA.
GRC also has two pairs of Technology Demonstration Convertors (TDC) from Infinia Corporation of Kennewick, WA on extended testing; these were also designed to produce power from the heat of one General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) module but use flexural bearings to achieve noncontacting operation.
NASA Fact
Have you ever heard of "Armalcolite"? Armalcolite is a mineral that was discovered at Tranquility Base by the Apollo 11 crew. It was named for ARMstrong, ALdrin and COLlins, the three Apollo 11 astronauts.
- NASA Official: Richard K. Shaltens
- Curator: Peggy A. Cornell
- Last Updated: June 24, 2008