RECENT ACTIVITIES AT THE CENTER FOR SPACE NUCLEAR RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPING NUCLEAR THERMAL ROCKETS

Conference · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 2001

OSTI ID:1004246

O'Brien, Robert C

Nuclear power has been considered for space applications since the 1960s. Between 1955 and 1972 the US built and tested over twenty nuclear reactors/ rocket-engines in the Rover/NERVA programs. However, changes in environmental laws may make the redevelopment of the nuclear rocket more difficult. Recent advances in fuel fabrication and testing options indicate that a nuclear rocket with a fuel form significantly different from NERVA may be needed to ensure public support. The Center for Space Nuclear Research (CSNR) is pursuing development of tungsten based fuels for use in a NTR, for a surface power reactor, and to encapsulate radioisotope power sources. The CSNR Summer Fellows program has investigated the feasibility of several missions enabled by the NTR. The potential mission benefits of a nuclear rocket, historical achievements of the previous programs, and recent investigations into alternatives in design and materials for future systems will be discussed.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
• Sponsoring Organization: OTHER
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• OSTI ID: 1004246
• Report Number(s): INL/CON-10-19825
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
DESIGN
FABRICATION
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
NUCLEAR POWER
POWER REACTORS
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTORS
ROCKET ENGINES
ROCKETS
TESTING
TUNGSTEN
nuclear rocket