Nuclear power for space travel
Spacecraft propulsion, and nuclear-electric power supply for space travel
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Spacecraft propulsion, and nuclear-electric power supply for space travel
Direct current converters used in space electric power system for nuclear-electric power supply
Nuclear-electric power generating requirements for unmanned scientific solar system probes
Effect of thermal radiation & surfacing on nuclear electric power supply performance
Discussion of chemical, solar and nuclear power sources for electric power generation in space
Description of nasa nuclear electric power program with special emphasis on power supplies in the surveyor program and the snap 8 project
Analysis of the direct nuclear electrogenerator cells using a beta emitting radioisotope cerium-144 in relation to spacecraft engine design
Magnetohydrodynamic, turboelectric, and thermionic power conversion in relation to electric propulsion mission requirements
Review of present and proposed research concerning nuclear electric power for space applications, including objectives of the snap-8 project
Nuclear-electric power requirements for electric rockets - contact and bombardment ion engines, arc jets, and pulsed plasma engines
Snap-8 electrical system and design modifications incorporated early in 1963, including alternator and pump motor changes
High temperature ceramic rectifier, thyratrons, and voltage reference tubes for use in nuclear- electric space power systems
Combination of fuel cell system and nuclear radio isotope system to provide electric power for lunar surface exploration mission
Space propulsion systems including solid core nuclear rockets, electric propulsion thrustors and nuclear electric generators
Electric propulsion in 1965, discussing electron bombardment and contact ionization thrustors, nuclear and solar-electric power systems, etc
Apollo-Saturn program automatic checkout systems, discussing ground support equipment facility automation, computer software and checkout technique applications to nuclear electronic systems
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.
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.