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

[KSC-97PC-1067]

  • Photo Number: KSC-97PC-1067

  • Release Date: 18-Jul-1997

    • Description: This radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), at center, will undergo mechanical and electrical verification testing now that it has been installed on the Cassini spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. A handling fixture, at far left, is still attached. Three 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. 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 the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

    Resolution Format Width
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    Thumbnail GIF 100 67 10231
    Slide GIF 172 148 36670
    Low GIF 320 213 53743
    Medium JPEG 1024 683 137791
    High JPEG 2280 1521 755502

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    Photos By: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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    Captions: Sherikon Space Systems
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    Last Updated: Tuesday August 28 14:47:45 EDT 2001 (Kay Grinter)

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