Multimegawatt dynamic NEP PMAD study

Conference · Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:6672068

Metcalf, K J

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lewis Research Center (NASA LeRC) is developing a FORTRAN-based model of a complete nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) vehicle to be used for piloted or cargo missions to the Moon or Mars. The proposed vehicle will use either a Brayton or K-Rankine power conversion cycle, and either ion or magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters. In support of this effort, Rocketdyne evaluated various power management and distribution (PMAD) approaches and selected a low-frequency design that is based on the direct use of the alternator voltage and frequency for power transmission. This approach was compared with dc and high-frequency ac designs, and selected on the basis of mass, efficiency, and qualitative assessment of power quality, reliability and development costs. This low-frequency architecture will be used as the reference in future NEP PMAD studies and for the subsequent FORTRAN model development.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Canoga Park, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6672068
• Report Number(s): N-93-16626; NASA-CR-190764; NAS-1.26:190764; CONF-930103-; CNN: NAS3-25808
• Resource Relation: Conference: 10. symposium on space nuclear power and propulsion, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 10-14 Jan 1993
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
NUCLEAR POWER
MANAGEMENT
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
BRAYTON CYCLE
CARGO
CONVERSION
DESIGN
DISTRIBUTION
EFFICIENCY
FORTRAN
ION THRUSTERS
MARS PLANET
MOON
NASA
PLASMA
RANKINE CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
RELIABILITY
ROCKET ENGINES
SPACE
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
THRUSTERS
ENGINES
MOBILE REACTORS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PLANETS
POWER
POWER REACTORS
POWER SYSTEMS
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
PROPULSION REACTORS
REACTORS
SATELLITES
SPACE POWER REACTORS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
US ORGANIZATIONS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
210600* - Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable