HAZARDS SUMMARY REPORT FOR A THREE WATT POLONIUM-210 FUELED THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR

A hazards survey was made of the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for space vehicle applications. The APU utilizes the decay process from 1570c of Po/sup 210/ to generate thermal energy. The design is described and diagrams are given. The factors involved in the integration of the thermoelectric generator into the Discoverer or Sentry vehicles are discussed. The physical, chemical, nuclear, and radiobiological properties of Po/sup 210/ are given. The shielding requirements for the APU are outlined. The principal environmental hazard is that imposed by the toxicity of the radionuclide fuel when released to the biosphere. Hazards design criteria were determined by extreme conditions including handling accidents, missile vehicle failures, and re-entry through the atmosphere and subsequent earth impact. (M.C.G.