An examination of bimodal nuclear power and propulsion benefits for outer solar system missions
- Lockheed Martin Atronautics, PO Box 179, Denver, Colorado 80201 (United States)
- Jet Propulsion Lab, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109 (United States)
This paper presents the results of an analysis of the capability of nuclear bimodal systems to perform outer solar system exploration missions. Missions of interest include orbiter missions to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. An initial technology baseline consisting of the NEBA 10 kWe, 1000 N thrust, 850 s, 1500 kg bimodal system was selected, and its performance examined against a data base for trajectories to outer solar system planetary destinations to select optimal direct and gravity assisted trajectories for study. A conceptual design for a common bimodal spacecraft capable of performing missions to all the planetary destinations was developed and made the basis of end to end mission designs for orbiter missions to Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune. All mission designs considered use the Atlas 2AS for launch. The radiological hazard associated with using Earth gravity assists on such missions was examined and shown to be small compared to that currently accepted on Earth fly-by missions involving RTGs. It is shown that the bimodal nuclear power and propulsion system offers many attractive options for planetary missions, including both conventional planetary missions in which all instruments are carried by a single primary orbiting spacecraft, and unconventional missions in which the primary spacecraft acts as a carrier, relay, and mother ship for a fleet of micro spacecraft deployed at the planetary destination. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}
- OSTI ID:
- 385524
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960109--
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 361; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
JUPITER PLANET
MISSION ANALYSIS
NEPTUNE PLANET
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PLUTO PLANET
ROCKETS
SATURN PLANET
SOLAR SYSTEM
SPACE FLIGHT
SPACE POWER REACTORS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
TRAJECTORIES
URANUS PLANET