The Unique Safety Challenges of Space Reactor Systems

Conference · Sun Jun 02 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:5778612

Compact reactor systems can provide high levels of power for extended periods in space environments. Their relatively low mass and their ability to operate independently of their proximity to the sun make reactor power systems high desirable for many civilian and military space missions. The US Department of Energy is developing reactor system technologies to provide electrical power for space applications. In addition, reactors are now being considered to provide thermal power to a hydrogen propellant for nuclear thermal rocketry. Space reactor safety issues differ from commercial reactor issues, in some areas, because of very different operating requirements and environments. Accidents similar to those postulated for commercial reactors must be considered for space reactors during their operational phase. Safety strategies will need to be established that account for the consequences of the loss of essential power.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); US Department of Energy (USDOE), Washington, DC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• OSTI ID: 5778612
• Report Number(s): CONF-910603-; CODEN: TANSA
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Vol. 63; Conference: Annual Meeting of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), Orlando, FL (United States), 2-6 Jun 1991; ISSN 0003-018X
• Publisher: American Nuclear Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
SPACE POWER REACTORS
REACTOR SAFETY
CRITICALITY
FISSION PRODUCT RELEASE
LAUNCHING
POWER GENERATION
PROPELLANTS
PUBLIC HEALTH
RADIATION HAZARDS
REACTIVITY
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTOR CORE DISRUPTION
REACTOR KINETICS
REACTOR OPERATION
REACTOR SHUTDOWN
ROCKETS
US DOE
ACCIDENTS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
KINETICS
MOBILE REACTORS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OPERATION
POWER REACTORS
REACTORS
SAFETY
SHUTDOWN
US ORGANIZATIONS
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
Compact reactor systems
Accident Consideration
Safety Strategy Creation
210600* - Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable