Publications Details
Preliminary Tier Determination Analysis for the Zeno's Low-Profile Nuclear Electric-Propulsion Satellite
Zeno Power Systems, Inc. (“Zeno”) is developing the Low-Profile Electric-Propulsion Nuclear Satellite-1 (LENS-1), which includes a radioisotope thermoelectric generator powered by the radioactive decay of strontium-90. Sandia National Laboratories was retained by Zeno to conduct a preliminary safety analysis of the LENS-1 mission. This analysis was conducted to determine whether LENS-1 is expected to meet Tier I requirements of National Security Presidential Memorandum-20. This document provides the results of an initial, deterministic safety analysis to support a Preliminary Tier Determination (PTD). This PTD is a primary element of Zeno’s revised Payload Review submitted to FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation for launch approval of LENS-1.