High Performance Ultra-light Nuclear Rockets for NEO (Near Earth Objects) Interaction Missions

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:432864

Powell, J; Maise, G; Ludewig, H; Todosow, M ^[1]

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1. Department of Advanced Technology, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY (United States)

The performance capabilities and technology features of ultra compact nuclear thermal rockets based on very high power density ({approximately} 30 Megawatts per liter) fuel elements are described. Nuclear rockets appear particularly attractive for carrying out missions to investigate or intercept Near Earth Objects (NEOS) that potentially could impact on the Earth. Many of these NEO threats, whether asteroids or comets, have extremely high closing velocities, i.e., tens of kilometers per second relative to the Earth. Nuclear rockets using hydrogen propellant enable flight velocities 2 to 3 times those achievable with chemical rockets, allowing interaction with a potential NEO threat at a much shorter time, and at much greater range. Two versions of an ultra compact nuclear rocket based on very high heat transfer rates are described: the PBR (Particle Bed Reactor), which has undergone substantial hardware development effort, and MITEE (Miniature Reactor Engine) which is a design derivative of the PBR. Nominal performance capabilities for the PBR are: thermal power - 1000 MW thrust - 45,000 lbsf, and weight - 500 kg. For MITEE, nominal capabilities are: thermal power - 100 MW; thrust {approx} 4500 lbsf, and weight - 50 kg. Development of operational PBR/MITEE systems would enable spacecraft launched from LEO (Low Earth Orbit) to investigate intercept NEO`s at a range of {approximately} 100 million kilometers in times of {approximately} 30 days.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 432864
• Report Number(s): BNL--63581; CONF-9504147--3; ON: DE97001539
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
42 ENGINEERING
ASTEROIDS
COMETS
DESIGN
INTERCEPTION
MITIGATION
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
ROCKET ENGINES
ROCKETS
SPACE FLIGHT
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS