Cassini's RTGs undergo mechanical and electrical verification testing in the PHSF

[KSC-97PC-1064]

  • Photo Number: KSC-97PC-1064

  • Release Date: 18-Jul-1997

    • Description: Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) workers carefully roll into place a platform with a second radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) for installation on the Cassini spacecraft. In background at left, the first of three RTGs already has been installed on Cassini. The RTGs will provide electrical power to Cassini on its 6.7-year trip to the Saturnian system and during its four-year mission at Saturn. The power units are undergoing mechanical and electrical verification testing in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. RTGs use heat from the natural decay of plutonium to generate electric power. The generators enable spacecraft to operate far from the Sun where solar power systems are not feasible. The Cassini mission is scheduled for an Oct. 6 launch aboard a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle. Cassini is built and managed for NASA by JPL.

    Resolution Format Width
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    Thumbnail GIF 100 67 10231
    Slide GIF 172 148 36670
    Low GIF 320 213 97160
    Medium JPEG 1024 683 156468
    High JPEG 2280 1521 954571

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    Last Updated: Tuesday August 28 16:02:58 EDT 2001 (Kay Grinter)

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