REQUIREMENTS AND PROSPECTS OF NUCLEAR PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR SPACE VEHICLES (in German)
Journal Article
·
· Atomwirtschaft (West Germany) Changed to ATW, Atomwirtsch., Atomtech.
OSTI ID:4002403
Rockets, to be suitable for space flight, must be able to attain terminal velocities of 11 km/sec. Further, the useful load relative to the take- off weight must be as large as possible. High terminal velocities demand high exit velocities for the drive material as well as large mass ratios. Since the rise in terminal velocity obtained by increasing the mass ratio becomes smaller as the mass ratio increases it is necessary to find propulsion units that produce high exit velocities with high thrust. The liberated energy is about 10/sup 6/ times greater with nuclear propulsion units than with chemical reactions. The distinction between a nuclear and a chemical propulsion unit lies only in the fact that, with the former type, the thermal energy of the drive material is supplied from outside. The thermal energy can be transferred by convection or by radiation. In the case of convective heat transfer a nuclear reactor replaces the burning chamber of a chemical propulsion unit. Propulsion reactors must possess very high loadings, e.g., a mass throughput of 500 kg/sec requires a reactor power of 20,000 Mw. The upper limit is likely to lie at about 100,000 Mw. Technological problems appears because of the stringent demands on the fuel elements. The required materials must not only resist high temperatures and be stable against hydrogen-induced corrosion but must also possess suitable nuclear properties. Propulsion reactors with solid fuel elements are already undergoing tests. Reactors with liquid or gaseous phase fuel elements have many design problems. Chemical and nuclear stages are compared in tables and illustrations. The comparison indicates the superiority of nuclear propulsion. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- DVL-Institut fur Raumfahrtforschung, Porz, Ger.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-021678
- OSTI ID:
- 4002403
- Journal Information:
- Atomwirtschaft (West Germany) Changed to ATW, Atomwirtsch., Atomtech., Journal Name: Atomwirtschaft (West Germany) Changed to ATW, Atomwirtsch., Atomtech. Vol. Vol: 9; ISSN ATWSA
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- German
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