Nuclear propulsion system options for Mars missions
Conference
·
OSTI ID:7232967
- NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL (United States)
This paper focuses on the use of a nuclear thermal rocket to accomplish a variety of space missions with emphasis on the manned Mars mission. The particle-bed-reactor type nuclear engine was chosen as the baseline engine because of its perceived versatility over other nuclear propulsion systems in conducting a wide variety of tasks. This study indicates that the particle-bed-reactor engine with its high engine thrust-to-weight ratio (about 20) and high specific impulse (about 950 to 1050 sec) offers distinct advantages over the larger and heavier NERVA-type nuclear engines.
- Research Organization:
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Huntsville, AL (United States). George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
- OSTI ID:
- 7232967
- Report Number(s):
- AIAA-Paper--92-1496; CONF-920373--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210600* -- Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DESIGN
EVALUATION
FLUIDIZED BED REACTORS
FUEL DISPERSION REACTORS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
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HYDROGEN COOLED REACTORS
MARS PLANET
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NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PLANETS
POWER REACTORS
PROPULSION REACTORS
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SPACE POWER REACTORS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
VEHICLES
210600* -- Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DESIGN
EVALUATION
FLUIDIZED BED REACTORS
FUEL DISPERSION REACTORS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
HOMOGENEOUS REACTORS
HYDROGEN COOLED REACTORS
MARS PLANET
MOBILE REACTORS
NERVA REACTOR
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PLANETS
POWER REACTORS
PROPULSION REACTORS
REACTORS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
VEHICLES