Heatpipe power system and heatpipe bimodal system development status

Journal Article · Thu Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 1998 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.54911· OSTI ID:21179653

Houts, Michael G; Poston, David I; Emrich, Jr, William J ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS K551, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)

The Heatpipe Power System (HPS) is a potential, near-term, low-cost space fission power system. The Heatpipe Bimodal System (HBS) is a potential, near-term, low-cost space fission power and/or propulsion system. Both systems will be composed of independent modules, and all components use existing technology and operate within the existing database. The HPS and HBS have relatively few system integration issues; thus, the successful development of a module is a significant step toward verifying system feasibility and performance estimates. A prototypic HPS module was fabricated, and initial testing was completed in April 1997. All test objectives were accomplished, demonstrating the basic feasibility of the HPS. Fabrication of an HBS module is underway, and testing should begin in early 1998.

• OSTI ID: 21179653
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 420; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPCS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
DESIGN
FABRICATION
HEAT PIPES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
PERFORMANCE
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
TESTING