Nuclear rockets

Technical Report · Tue Apr 26 04:00:00 EDT 1955

OSTI ID:469151

York, H F; Biehl, A T

A systems analysis is made of a class of nuclear-propelled rockets in combination with chemical boosters. Various missions are considered including the delivery of 5000-lb payload 5500 nautical miles, the placement of a satellite in an orbit about the earth and the delivery of a payload to escape velocity. The reactors considered are of the heterogeneous type utilizing graphite fuel elements in a matrix of Be or hydrogenous moderator. Liquid hydrogen and ammonia are considered as propellants. Graphical results are presented which show the characteristics and performance of the nuclear rockets as the design parameters are varied. It should be emphasized that this report is not in any sense intended as a handbook of rocket parameters; it is intended only as a guide for determining areas of interest.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 469151
• Report Number(s): UCRL--4499; ON: DE97005337
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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ROCKETS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS