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Space Exploration: Power Sources for Deep Space Probes

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date May 29, 1998
Report No. NSIAD-98-102
Subject
Summary:

NASA launched its nuclear-powered Cassini spacecraft in October 1997 on a 12-year mission to Saturn. This report reviews the use of nuclear power systems for Cassini and other space missions. GAO (1) describes the processes that NASA used to assess the safety and environmental risks associated with the Cassini mission, (2) describes NASA's efforts to consider the use of a nonnuclear power source for the Cassini mission, (3) identifies the federal investment associated with the development of nonnuclear power sources for deep space missions, and (4) identifies NASA's planned future nuclear-powered space missions.

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