114 



As may be seen, this program consists of four elements classified 

 according to power level, isotope selection, area of application, and 

 application criteria. The underlying objective is to develop a base of 

 isotope power systems technology that will be applicable to a wide 

 variety of marine and terrestrial applications within discrete power 

 levels. The selection of these power levels is tied to a user need that has 

 been identified to date. As future needs become defined, additional 

 program elements will be considered. 



Of greatest interest to oceanographic and ocean engineering activi- 

 ties, are the three highest power output units. AEG is undertaking 

 to design, develop, test, and demonstrate isotopic power systems in the 

 100- to 1,000-milliwatt range for specialized military and commercial 

 application including oceanographic instrumentation, underseas cable 

 boosters, and underseas weapons activation. 



A major research and development effort in fiscal year 1968 is di- 

 rected toward the development of a series of compact and highly reli- 

 able isotopic power systems in the 10- to 100-watt power range. 



It is planned that this program will lead toward the development of 

 a second generation of radioisotope power systems that possess the 

 required reliability, operating lifetime, and economic advantages nec- 

 essary to achieve widespread applicability in marine and remote 

 terrestrial environments. This program consists of two specific proj- 

 ects : SNAP-21 and SNAP-23. 



SNAP-21 is a two-phase project to develop a series of compact 

 strontium-90 power systems for deep sea and ocean bottom application. 



The first phase of design and component development effort on the 

 basic 10-watt system has been successfully completed ; the previously 

 mentioned SNAP-Y program. 



A second phase systems development and test effort has been under- 

 way since July 1966 and will extend through 1970. A series of 10- and 

 20-watt fueled prototype power Systems will be fabricated, assembled, 

 and tested under actual environmental conditions to demonstrate that 

 these have attained all performance objectives. Compatability of ma- 

 terial, components, and design is a major objective. 



The SNAP-23 project involves the development of a series of eco- 

 nomically attractive strontium 90 power systems for remote terres- 

 trial application. This project will result in the fabrication of 25-, 

 60-, and 100-watt units capable of long-term operation in surface 

 buoys, offshore oil platforms, weather stations, and microwave re- 

 peater stations. 



In regard to future needs for kilowatt systems, the AEC has become 

 increasingly aware of the potential needs for large isotope plants for 

 the man-in-the-sea type of activities; for offshore oil exploration; 

 ASW systems ; manned and unmanned research stations, and the like. 

 Our evaluations and assessments of these potential needs have re- 

 sulted in AEC initiation of a research and development program di- 

 rected toward the eventual development of isotope-powered systems in 

 the 1- to 10-kilowatt range. 



The first phase of this program consists of an extensive applications 

 engineering and design study to evaluate alternate energy conversion 

 cycles, plant configurations, isotope fuel requirements, performance 

 requirements, environmental constraints, and, of course, economic 

 criteria. 



