A feasibility study for a contained pulsed nuclear propulsion concept

Conference · Tue Jan 19 23:00:00 EST 1993 · AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.43059· OSTI ID:5460561

Parlos, A G ^[1]; Metzger, J D ^[2]

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1. Department of Nuclear Engineering, Texas A M University, College Station, Texas 77843 (United States)
2. Grumman Space Electronics Division, MS B09-25, Bethpage, New York 11714 (United States)

A preliminary analysis of a pulsed propulsion concept is performed utilizing the enormously dense energy generated by small nuclear detonations. The concept feasibility is based on the premise that current materials technology has undergone significant breakthroughs, allowing design of pressure vessels capable of containing the blast associated with such detonations. Furthermore, the rapid energy transfer to the propellant, allows generation of high thrust levels for up to 10 [ital ms] following the detonation. Preliminary reevaluation of the concept using off-the-shelf materials technology appears to indicate that the contained pulsed nuclear propulsion concept has no major flaws, and it can provide thrust levels resulting in average thrust-to-weight ratios on the order of 2--2.5 over an engine operating cycle. Furthermore, even though the specific impulse is not a good performance indicator for impulsive engines, operating-cycle-averaged specific impulse of approximately 1800 [ital s] has been calculated. The engine mass associated with this performance is on the order of 50 [ital Mg]. The concept appears attractive for a number of missions planned for the Space Exploration Initiative, however, there are still a number of issues that must be addressed.

• OSTI ID: 5460561
• Report Number(s): CONF-930103--
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States), Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States) Vol. 271:3; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPCS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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