Nuclear thermal rocket clustering: 1, A summary of previous work and relevant issues

Conference · Sun Jul 14 00:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5078856

Buksa, J J; Houts, M G

A general review of the technical merits of nuclear thermal rocket clustering is presented. A summary of previous analyses performed during the Rover program is presented and used to assess clustering in the context of projected Space Exploration Initiative missions. A number of technical issues are discussed including cluster reliability, engine-out operation, neutronic coupling, shutdown core power generation, shutdown reactivity requirements, reactor kinetics, and radiation shielding. 7 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5078856
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-91-3295; CONF-920104-13; ON: DE92002374; TRN: 91-032009
• Resource Relation: Conference: 9. symposium on space nuclear power systems, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 13-16 Jan 1992
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
EVALUATION
CONFIGURATION
DESIGN
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
PLANNING
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
ROCKET ENGINES
SHIELDING
SPACE VEHICLES
ENGINES
MOBILE REACTORS
POWER REACTORS
PROPULSION REACTORS
REACTORS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
VEHICLES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
220800* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Propulsion Reactors