@proceedings{1239,
  keywords = {Other direct energy conversion [B8460], Thermoelectric conversion, flight qualified power source, heat source technology, long term electrical power generation, microspacecraft, Milliwatt Isotope Power Source, radioisotope heater unit, Space vehicle power plants, thermoelectric energy conversion module technology},
  author = {A. Chmielewski and A. Borshchevsky and Cronin Vining},
  title = {Milliwatt isotope power source for microspacecraft},
  abstract = {<p>Miniature spacecraft offer the potential to greatly reduce mission costs, but today there is no flight qualified power source that could operate a microspacecraft during a journey to the outer planets. The authors describe the Milliwatt Isotope Power Source (MIPS), a concept capable of reliable, long term electrical power generation in the milliwatt range. Utilizing existing radioisotope heater unit heat source technology and proven thermoelectric energy conversion module technology, a MIPS package about the size of a D-cell battery could deliver about 30 milliwatts of electrical power for several decades and weigh 70 grams. Such a power source could be used to power miniature instruments such as seismometers, propel a microrover or provide decentralized power aboard a more conventional spacecraft. Also, reliance on flight-qualified heat source technology and the small radioisotope inventory required are attractive safety considerations. (1 Reference).</p>
},
  year = {1993},
  journal = {American Institute of Physics Conference Proceedings: 10th Symposium on Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion , pt.2},
  volume = {271},
  pages = {70, 765+},
  month = {1993///},
  url = {http://cvining.com/system/files/articles/vining/Chmielewski-SNPP-1993.pdf},
  language = {eng},
}