Current Status of the Nuclear-Powered Arc Jet Rocket Engine

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1962 · IRE Transactions on Nuclear Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TNS2.1962.4315891· OSTI ID:4795756

John, R. R.; Connors, J.; Mironer, A.; Yarmovych, M.

A status report is presented on the performance and possible application to space missions of the thermal arc Jet rocket engine. The following areas are discussed: arc jet operation and performance, preliminary arc jet system considerations, and orbit transfer of a 24-hour communications satellite. Discussions of electrode configuration, liquid versus radiation-cooled engines, and arc engine starting, are included. Speculations on a batterypowered flight test, cryogenic versus non-cryogenic propellants, and alternating versus direct- current arc jet operation are given.

• Research Organization: Avco Corp., Wilmington, Mass.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-16-015952
• OSTI ID: 4795756
• Journal Information: IRE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Vol. 9, Issue 1; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62; ISSN 0096-2015
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
CONFERENCE
CONFIGURATION
COOLING
CRYOGENICS
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRODES
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE
PROPULSION
RADIATIONS
REACTORS
ROCKETS
SPACE VEHICLES
STARTUP
THERMAL RADIATION