What was the primary objective of the US SNAP 10A launched in 1965?
Answer
To test the feasibility of using a fission reactor for a space power plant
The SNAP 10A project represented a distinct technological step beyond the initial RTG deployments. While RTGs use radioisotope decay for steady, low-power output over decades, SNAP 10A was an experimental fission reactor system. Its specific goal was to demonstrate the capability of generating much higher power outputs suitable for larger systems, essentially proving the concept of using a controlled nuclear chain reaction for space power generation. Although it only ran for 45 minutes before being intentionally shut down, it was a crucial test for scaling up nuclear power capabilities for potential future large-scale or crewed missions.
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