Historical flight qualifications of space nuclear systems

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.51944· OSTI ID:627645

Bennett, G L ^[1]

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1. Metaspace Enterprises 5000 Butte Road Emmett, Idaho83617-9500 (United States)

An overview is presented of the qualification programs for the general-purpose heat source radioisotope thermoelectric generators (GPHS-RTGs) as developed for the Galileo and Ulysses missions; the SNAP-10A space reactor; the Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Applications (NERVA); the F-1 chemical rocket engine used on the Saturn-V Apollo lunar missions; and the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs). Some similarities and contrasts between the qualification testing employed on these five programs will be noted. One common thread was that in each of these successful programs there was an early focus on component and subsystem tests to uncover and correct problems. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 627645
• Report Number(s): CONF-970115-; ISSN 0094-243X; TRN: 9808M0064
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 387, Issue 1; Conference: Space technology and applications international forum (STAIF - 97), Albuquerque, NM (United States), 26-30 Jan 1997; Other Information: PBD: Jan 1997
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES
SPACE VEHICLES
DESIGN
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
ROCKET ENGINES
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
POWER SYSTEMS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems