Safe, compact nuclear propulsion: solid-core nuclear propulsion concept. Final report, October 1986-September 1987
The NERVA nuclear-rocket engine was compared to an advanced nuclear-electric engine as well as an advanced chemical engine for use in orbital transfer, and lunar and Mars missions. The NERVA stage had advantages over the chemical stage in payload, life-cycle cost, and propellant consumption. The NERVA stage also had lower mission time requirements and life-cycle cost compared to the nuclear electric stage. Fabrication of the NERVA stage does not require an extensive engine development program and demonstrated engine operating characteristics assure a reliable, flexible stage with a multiple mission capability. The single propellant used in nuclear engines eliminates the combustion hazards associated with the use of dual propellants in space. Preliminary evaluations also indicated that varying the tankage used according to mission could reduce the cost of operating the nuclear engine. The open-air-engine tests used to develop the NERVA fuel and engine system are not environmentally acceptable today. A proposed alternate-fuel development approach is to screen-candidate fuel systems and conduct failure tests in test reactors. Such testing facilities are designed for testing of closed-loop systems. Failure tests on full-scale core segments could also be conducted closed loop in larger facilities. A full-scale engine-system qualification could be accomplished, but the facility must be designed to shut down immediately at the first detection of fission product release. It is estimated that all non-nuclear components of the NERVA engine system could be qualified for engine testing within four years and depending on the problems encountered, cost could range from $55 to $180 million.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6428163
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-202339/8/XAB; EGG-ES-8093
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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NERVA REACTOR
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMBUSTION
FISSION PRODUCTS
HAZARDS
ORBITS
PROGRESS REPORT
PROPELLANTS
REACTOR CORES
RELIABILITY
SAFETY
TEST REACTORS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECONOMICS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
HYDROGEN COOLED REACTORS
ISOTOPES
MATERIALS
MOBILE REACTORS
OXIDATION
POWER REACTORS
PROPULSION REACTORS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
220800* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Propulsion Reactors