Microscopic analysis of irradiated UN–Mo–W for space nuclear propulsion

Khan, Sarah A.; Schulthess, Jason L.; Burns, Jatuporn; Pu, Xiaofei; Woolstenhulme, Nicolas; Charit, Indrajit; O’Brien, Robert

doi:10.1016/j.nucengdes.2025.114546

Microscopic analysis of irradiated UN–Mo–W for space nuclear propulsion

Journal Article · Tue Oct 21 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Nuclear Engineering and Design

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2025.114546· OSTI ID:3013360

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Univ. of Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Univ. of Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Universities Space Research Association (USRA), Idaho Falls, ID (United States). Center for Space Nuclear Research (CSNR)

Nuclear propulsion is an effective method of providing thrust in deep space, allowing for shorter mission duration for long-term surface missions to Mars. The fuel for nuclear propulsion systems must exhibit superior mechanical and thermal properties, to decrease the possibility of fuel failure and to increase reactor efficiency. Here, the objective of the Sirius project is to fabricate and irradiate cermet fuels at the Idaho National Laboratory Transient Reactor Facility to determine the properties of the fuel after irradiation at prototypical nuclear propulsion start-up conditions. The Sirius project featured 3 test capsules, Sirius-1 featured uranium nitride fuel dispersed in a matrix of tungsten and rhenium, while Sirius-2A and -2B featured uranium nitride-molybdenum-tungsten fuel (UN-Mo-W). The fuel samples from the Sirius-2A and -2B capsules were examined after irradiation using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The mechanical properties of the fuel from Sirius-2A and -2B are discussed in a previous work. In this study, the results of the optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses are discussed.

Research Organization:: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC07-05ID14517

OSTI ID:: 3013360

Report Number(s):: INL/JOU--24-82566

Journal Information:: Nuclear Engineering and Design, Journal Name: Nuclear Engineering and Design Journal Issue: A Vol. 446; ISSN 0029-5493

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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