Technology assessment of DOE's 55-We Stirling Technology Demonstrator Convertor (TDC)

The Department of Energy (DOE), Germantown, MD and the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), Cleveland, OH are developing a Stirling convertor for an advanced radioisotope power system as a potential power source for spacecraft on-board electric power for NASA deep space science missions. The Stirling convertor is being evaluated as an alternative high efficiency power source to replace radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). Stirling Technology Company (STC), Kennewick, WA, is developing the highly efficient, long life 55-We free-piston Stirling convertor known as the Technology Demonstrator Convertor (TDC) under contract to DOE. GRC provides Stirling technology expertise under a space act agreement with the DOE. Lockheed Martin Astronautics (LMA), Valley Forge, PA is the current power system integrator for the Advanced Radioisotope Power System (ARPS) project for the DOE. JPL is responsible for the Outer Planets/Solar Probe Project for NASA.