Comparison of advanced nuclear and chemical propulsion
The country is developing a new heavy launch cargo vehicle. A complete low cost space transportation system will require new propulsion modules for moving payloads from low earth orbit to their final destination. Three propulsion concepts, a direct thrust nuclear stage, a nuclear electric stage, and a direct thrust chemical stage, have been compared for performing earth orbital transfer operations. The nuclear stages have the potential to be the most cost effective because of their lower propellant consumption. The direct thrust nuclear stage appears to be the most cost effective because of its high thrust compared to the nuclear-electric stage, its high specific impulse compared to the chemical stage, and its operational flexibility. Public acceptance of nuclear propulsion in space will require a more disciplined approach to design to ensure that reliability and safety are an integral part of the basic design. Operational concepts for nuclear systems are also important to safe operation and these should be studied early. A design process initiated in the design of the NERVA prototype flight engine is recommended as a starting point for implementing a rigorous design process. 7 refs., 3 figs., 5 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-76ID01570
- OSTI ID:
- 6845818
- Report Number(s):
- EGG-M-88279; CONF-880764-3; AIAA-88-2927; ON: TI88015225
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
A comparison of propulsion systems for potential space mission applications
Large-payload earth-orbit transportation with electric propulsion
Related Subjects
220800* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Propulsion Reactors
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
HYDROGEN COOLED REACTORS
LAUNCHING
MOBILE REACTORS
NERVA REACTOR
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
POWER REACTORS
PROPELLANTS
PROPULSION REACTORS
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
REACTORS
SPACE FLIGHT
SPACE POWER REACTORS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE TRANSPORT
TRANSPORT