A low-alpha nuclear electric propulsion system for lunar and Mars missions

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:10116111

Coomes, E P; Dagle, J E

The advantages of using electric propulsion are well-known in the aerospace community. The high specific impulse and, therefore, lower propellant requirements make it a very attractive propulsion option for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). Recent studies have shown that nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) is not only attractive for the transport of cargo but that fast piloted missions to Mars are possible as well, with alphas on the order of 7.5 kg/kW. An advanced NEP system with a specific power (alpha) of 2.5 kg/kW or less would significantly enhance the manned mission option of NEP by reducing the trip time even further. This paper describes an advanced system that combines the PEGASUS Drive with systems of the Rotating Multimegawatt Boiling Liquid Metal (RMBLR) power system that was developed as part of the DOE multimegawatt program and just recently declassified. In its original configuration, the PEGASUS Drive was a 10-MWe propulsion system. The RMBLR was a 20-MW electric system. By combining the two, a second-generation PEGASUS Drive can be developed with an alpha less than 2.5 kg/kW. This paper will address the technology advancements incorporated into the PEGASUS Drive, the analysis of a fast piloted mission and an unmanned cargo transport Mars mission, and the integration of laser power beaming to provide surface power.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 10116111
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA--20133; CONF-920104--24; ON: DE92006730
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210600
EXPLORATION
HEAT TRANSFER
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
MARS SPACE PROBES
MISSION ANALYSIS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
POWER REACTORS, MOBILE, PROPULSION, PACKAGE, AND TRANSPORTABLE
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
SPACE
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE TRANSPORT
SPACE VEHICLES
THRUSTERS