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Results for “NUCLEAR-ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records

THE NASA NUCLEAR ELECTRIC POWER PROGRAM

Description of nasa nuclear electric power program with special emphasis on power supplies in the surveyor program and the snap 8 project

SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLY

THE NASA NUCLEAR ELECTRIC POWER PROGRAM

Review of present and proposed research concerning nuclear electric power for space applications, including objectives of the snap-8 project

NUCLEAR-ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY

Snap-8 electrical system.

Snap-8 electrical system and design modifications incorporated early in 1963, including alternator and pump motor changes

NUCLEAR-ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY

Space nuclear propulsion mid-decade.

Space propulsion systems including solid core nuclear rockets, electric propulsion thrustors and nuclear electric generators

ELECTRIC PROPULSION

Electric propulsion in 1965.

Electric propulsion in 1965, discussing electron bombardment and contact ionization thrustors, nuclear and solar-electric power systems, etc

ELECTRON BOMBARDMENT

Automation in Apollo-Saturn - A critique.

Apollo-Saturn program automatic checkout systems, discussing ground support equipment facility automation, computer software and checkout technique applications to nuclear electronic systems

CHECKOUT EQUIPMENT

Nuclear-electric power in space

Prospective missions requiring large power supplies that might be satisfied with space nuclear reactors (SNR) are discussed, along with design concepts and problems and other potential high-power space systems. Having a minimum economic output of 10 kWe, SNR seem well-suited as the power sources for DBS systems, space-based ATC systems manned planetary missions, an expanding Space Station, materials processing, and outer planets missions. SNR avoid the large area problems of solar cell arrays, short lifetimes of thermionic converters, and vibration and heat control in Stirling engines. Design problems exist for SNR in the heat transfer and rejection systems, radioactive emissions and degradation of reactor materials, and size. The latter is a function of Shuttle payload constaints and raises the possibility of having to load the fuel while in orbit. The earliest operational date of SNRs is projected for the early 1990s, if progress is good in the current SP-100 program.

Truscello, V. C.

Systems Engineering of a Nuclear-Electric Spacecraft

Studies have shown that nuclear-electric propulsion systems will provide superior payload capability and unique advantages over chemical systems for high-energy deep-space missions. Conceptual design studies of unmanned spacecraft employing nuclear-electric propulsion systems have been undertaken to determine some of the major integration problems. Early recognition of these problems will help to stimulate the development effort that will be required to bring these systems into fruitful utilization. Typical designs under consideration for interplanetary missions for the next decade employ a nuclear reactor providing thermal energy to a turbogeneration system which, in turn, supplies electrical power to an ion engine for primary propulsion and additional utility power for guidance and control, powered-flight radio transmission, instrumentation, et cetera. The major systems and components which form a complete spacecraft are listed in this Report, and a review of the significant physical and operational characteristics of these various systems and components which affect spacecraft integration is made. Conceptual.configurations and detailed weight studies for a 60-kilowatts-electric Venus-capture spacecraft and a 1-megawattelectric Jupiter-capture spacecraft are shown to illustrate typical physical arrangements based on the various hardware constraints. From these configurations, the major development goals are ascertained and summarized.

SPACECRAFT