Opening up the future in space with nuclear power
Man's extraterrestrial development is dependent on abundant power. For example, space-based manufacturing facilities are projected to have a power demand of 300 kWe by the end of this Century, and several megawatts in the early part of next millennium. The development of the lunar resource base will result in power needs ranging from an initial 100 kW(e) to many megawatts. Human visits to Mars could be achieved using a multimegawatt nuclear electric propulsion system or high thrust nuclear rockets. Detailed exploration of the solar system will also be greatly enhanced by the availability of large nuclear electric propulsion systems. All of these activities will require substantial increases in space power - hundreds of kilowatts to many megawatts. The challenge is clear: how to effectively use nuclear energy to support humanity's expansion into space.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA); Florida Inst. of Tech., Melbourne (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 6410543
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-84-3388; CONF-850103-2; ON: DE85002411
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Nuclear power: key to man's extraterrestrial civilization
Space reactors - past, present, and future
Related Subjects
210600* -- Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable
220800 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Propulsion Reactors
MOBILE REACTORS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
POWER REACTORS
PROPULSION REACTORS
REACTORS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
USES