The SDIO has expressed interest in such a nuclear powerplant for its ground-based applications. These applications include the command, control, and communications systems that must operate reliably in a hostile environment if the total SDI system is to The source of power for these systems must be relatively invulnerable to terrorism, sabotage, and

be credible.

electromagnetic pulses from high altitude nuclear detonations as well as to acts of nature, e.g., lightning strikes, snow, windstorms. As the SDI system emerges, it is possible that a significant portion of the detection and weapon systems will be ground-based rather than space-based; these systems will need power supplied from dedicated, secure, and reliable powerplants. Conceptual design studies of a secure military nuclear powerplant have been performed and found to show that the concept is sound. A request for proposal for advanced design of the plant has been prepared. In late FY 1986 up to two concepts will be selected for detailed design; the preliminary design will be completed by

the end of FY 1987.

ADVANCED NUCLEAR SYSTEMS

A

The responsibility of the Advanced Nuclear Systems program is to develop, demonstrate, and deliver radioisotope power sources for U.S. military and civilian space and terrestrial missions. recent dramatic application of RTGs was the Voyager 2 fly-by of Uranus--a planet so far from the Sun that it receives less than 0.3 percent of the sunlight received at Earth. In such a region of dark space, nuclear power is the only option for planetary explorers. The RTGS on Voyager 2 are still performing well above the prelaunch predictions over eight years after launch. plans to continue to use RTGS on their next generation of planetary explorers (Mariner Mark II) planned for the 1990s.

NASA

Today, RTGS have been built with power levels over 300 watts, so that several could be ganged to provide up to a kilowatt or more Recognizing the usefulness of isotope

of electrical power.

power, DOD and DOE signed an umbrella agreement in 1985 to foster A supplemental agreement has been

work on isotope power systems. prepared to support the BSTS. DOE is planning to develop the dynamic isotope power system for BSTS. However, current Air Force plans call for flying an early BSTS flight experiment to test out the system. Because the flight experiment may require less power than the operational satellites, RTGS are a logical choice to provide dependable, survivable electrical power.

In cooperation with the Air Force,

A major effort under the RTG program has been the design, fabrication, and delivery of isotopic power supplies, safety analyses, and planning of launch support activities for the NASA Galileo and Ulysses missions. The four General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) flight RTGs, including one spare, and 110 radioisotope heater units for thermal control of spacecraft components, have been delivered.

Following these mid-1987 NASA

launchings, DOE will support the mission by continued testing of the qualification and engineering units of the RTGS, analyze RTG mission performance data, and provide NASA with periodic longrange predictions for mission planning.

In looking forward to future NASA and DOD space missions, DOE is continuing to pursue the technology and the development of an advanced RTG that offers promise of higher power density and greater size adaptability as mission requirements change. This Modular Isotope Thermoelectric Generator (MITG) will enable NASA to accommodate a range of interplanetary missions identified by the Solar System Exploration Commission of the NASA Advisory Council. The MITG is also a potential power source for the experimental flight of the BSTS for the SDI program. In parallel

with the MITG development, DOE is continuing its efforts to improve thermoelectric conversion efficiencies, including silicon germanium optimization, electrical contacting, evaluation of

materials properties, degradation mechanisms, and material

interactions.

To respond to future RTG delivery requirements, it is essential that DOE not only maintain a viable heat source production capability within its laboratory structure but also continue those efforts necessary to improve heat source safety, improve production efficiency to reduce heat source costs, and continue work in long-lead areas. In FY 1987, the Mound Laboratory (Mound) near Miamisburg, Ohio, must begin the facility and tooling modifications for the assembly and testing of a planned terrestrial RTG delivery to DOD in late 1988. Also in 1987, Mound will start the design and safety qualification process for a small, sealed, heat source needed for the Special Applications program. We plan that the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will continue its heat source materials program, where improved processes and forming techniques show promise of lower unit cost for heat source iridium encapsulating material.

To meet our obligations to deliver low-wattage RTGS for terrestrial military missions, the Special Applications program will continue its efforts to develop and demonstrate the necessary technology. During 1987, an RTG demonstration system test will be continued to verify long-term performance predictions. Also, thermoelectric modules of primary and alternate designs will be tested under selected environmental conditions to support RTG performance predictions and reliability analyses.

FACILITIES

DOE and its contractors operate some of the most advanced and sophisticated nuclear test facilities in the world today for advanced power generation reactors, fuels, components, and materials. The facilities provide unique testing capabilities required for the development of safe, reliable, environmentally acceptable and efficient nuclear energy power sources that will be suitable for civilian power generation, space, and military applications. These facilities are also used in the development of fusion technology; cooperative technology programs with other countries; non-nuclear energy programs such as coal, solar, and geothermal; and conducting tests for other Government and private sector organizations such as EPRI and the NRC.

These facilities include the LMR irradiation facilities--the ERB-II, the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility, the Zero Power Plutonium Reactor (ZPPR), and support facilities at the Argonne National Laboratory near Idaho Falls, Idaho (ANL-West); the FFTF at the Hanford Engineering Development Laboratory (HEDL) near Richland, Washington; and the comprehensive non-nuclear liquid metal component test complex at the Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC) near Canoga Park, California. At the heart of the facility capability are experienced engineers, scientists, technicians, and operators. In recent years, the program has markedly improved the efficiency of its facilities. Non-essential facilities have been shut down and operations of remaining facilities have been improved. This effort is continuing in order to assure that this essential activity is carried on at the lowest possible cost.

The accomplishments and activities of our facilities and test programs are significant and include: (1) the FFTF has achieved a world record for continuous operation of an LMR at full power (101 days), demonstrating the outstanding reliability of LMR's;

(2) fuel performance in the FFTF has gone well beyond the burnup goal of 80,000 megawatt days per metric ton; (3) successful testing in the FFTF of inherent safety features and advanced control concepts; (4) the recent successful completion of a lossof-flow without reactor scram test from 100 percent power in the EBR-II, which further attests to the passive safety capability of liquid metal cooled reactors; and (5) testing at ETEC is currently making significant contributions to LMR designs resulting from their natural circulation tests, advanced shutdown heat removal tests, and performance testing of advanced steam generators. Continued operation of FFTF, EBR-II, and ETEC continues to contribute to U.S. liquid metal reactor operating experience.

In FY 1987, the facilities will continue to support the changing civilian, military and space nuclear power requirements. Civilian advanced reactor concepts will require special tests for evaluation of fuels performance and reactor dynamics.

Irradiation testing is assuming a more critical position in analysis of materials and fuel performance for military and space reactor applications.

The test programs planned for FY 1987 include reactor safety and fuel performance and component testing for advanced reactor concepts, irradiation of candidate core materials for space reactor use, irradiation of SP-100 fuel and cladding, run-beyondcladding breach, operational transient testing under the joint United States/Japan Cooperative Program, irradiation of material specimens for the United States and Japan, and fusion programs and tests supporting reactor plant simplifications and cost reduction features.

The Department plans to evaluate the current methods by which users share in facility costs. Alternative cost-sharing

aches will be evaluated for partial implementation in