A radiological assessment of nuclear power and propulsion operations near Space Station Freedom. Contract report, January 1988-January 1990

Technical Report · Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:6757515

Bolch, W E; Thomas, J K; Peddicord, K L; Nelson, P; Marshall, D T; Busche, D M

Scenarios were identified which involve the use of nuclear power systems in the vicinity of Space Station Freedom (SSF) and their radiological impact on the SSF crew was quantified. Several of the developed scenarios relate to the use of SSF as an evolutionary transportation node for lunar and Mars missions. In particular, radiation doses delivered to SSF crew were calculated for both the launch and subsequent return of a Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) cargo vehicle and a Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) personnel vehicle to low earth orbit. The use of nuclear power on co-orbiting platforms and the storage and handling issues associated with radioisotope power systems were also explored as they relate to SSF. A central philosophy in these analyses was the utilization of a radiation dose budget, defined as the difference between recommended dose limits from all radiation sources and estimated doses received by crew members from natural space radiations. Consequently, for each scenario examined, the dose budget concept was used to identify and quantify constraints on operational parameters such as launch separation distances, returned vehicle parking distances, and reactor shutdown times prior to vehicle approach. The results indicate that realistic scenarios do not exist which would preclude the use of nuclear power sources in the vicinity of SSF. The radiation dose to the SSF crew can be maintained at safe levels solely by implementing proper and reasonable operating procedures.

• Research Organization: Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6757515
• Report Number(s): N-90-21108; NASA-CR-185185; NAS-1.26:185185; TRN: 90-028888
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ASTRONAUTS
RADIATION HAZARDS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
BACKGROUND RADIATION
ORBITS
PROGRESS REPORT
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOISOTOPE BATTERIES
THEORETICAL DATA
DATA
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
DOSES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INFORMATION
MOBILE REACTORS
NUMERICAL DATA
PERSONNEL
POWER REACTORS
PROPULSION REACTORS
RADIATIONS
REACTORS
VEHICLES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
210600* - Power Reactors
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& Transportable
220900 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
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