Development of NERVA reactor for space nuclear propulsion
Conference
·
OSTI ID:6056948
The general technology development and demonstration of a Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA), a joint AEC-NASA program, was undertaken successfully in the 1960's and terminated in 1971 for lack of a specific mission. Detailed flight engine specifications were defined and several candidate designs which would satisfy these specifications were completed just prior to termination of these efforts. However, the technology interest continued and efforts were extended during the early 1970's to consider space power applications including a manned Mars mission and dual mode (propulsion power and electrical power) operation. Subsequent efforts have continued in developing electric power applications. Light-weight solid core reactor nuclear power sources have been conceptually studied based upon this technology. This paper provides a short summary of the technology that evolved in this very complex and frequently changing program with some specific references to the Mars mission propulsion application as it evolved from the NERVA development program.
- OSTI ID:
- 6056948
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8606184-
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
An historical perspective of the NERVA nuclear rocket engine technology program. Final Report
Fast Track'' nuclear thermal propulsion concept
Recapturing NERVA-Derived Fuels for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion
Conference
·
Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991
·
OSTI ID:5300038
Fast Track'' nuclear thermal propulsion concept
Conference
·
Sat Jan 09 23:00:00 EST 1993
· AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States)
·
OSTI ID:5460646
Recapturing NERVA-Derived Fuels for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion
Conference
·
Fri Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2010
·
OSTI ID:1031534
Related Subjects
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
220800* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Propulsion Reactors
DESIGN
ELECTRIC POWER
GAS COOLED REACTORS
HYDROGEN COOLED REACTORS
MARS SPACE PROBES
MOBILE REACTORS
NERVA REACTOR
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
OPERATION
POWER
POWER REACTORS
PROPULSION REACTORS
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
REACTORS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLES
WEIGHT
220800* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Propulsion Reactors
DESIGN
ELECTRIC POWER
GAS COOLED REACTORS
HYDROGEN COOLED REACTORS
MARS SPACE PROBES
MOBILE REACTORS
NERVA REACTOR
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
OPERATION
POWER
POWER REACTORS
PROPULSION REACTORS
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
REACTORS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLES
WEIGHT