Nuclear Science: More Planning Needed to Support Future Needs for Electric Power in Space
RCED-94-6
Published: Oct 07, 1993. Publicly Released: Nov 09, 1993.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Energy's (DOE) plans for radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) assembly operations, focusing on: (1) where DOE plans to assemble RTG in the future; (2) the cost to overhaul the Mound facility to make it suitable for long-term RTG assembly operations; (3) how DOE will address public safety concerns about maintaining nuclear operations in a residential area; and (4) DOE expenditures to modify the Hanford facility in preparation of RTG assembly.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Energy | To ensure that an RTG infrastructure will be in place to meet requirements after the 1997 Cassini mission, the Secretary of Energy should direct DOE planners to develop a plan for RTG support. The plan should include the validated cost of modifications needed to ensure that the Mound RTG operations can effectively support NASA and Department of Defense long-term RTG requirements. The plan should also include arrangements that ensure uninterrupted support of these long-term RTG requirements if the Mound facility is unable to perform this function. |
Closed – Implemented
DOE's draft plan has been in review status for almost 2 years and it appears that DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy has no intention of finalizing the plan.
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Topics
Aerospace researchCost analysisElectric power generationEnergy researchFacility repairsFuture budget projectionsNuclear facility safetyNuclear powerplantsProduction engineeringRepair costs