Planetary surface reactor shielding using indigenous materials

Journal Article · Fri Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 1999 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.57545· OSTI ID:21202507

Houts, Michael G; Poston, David I; Trellue, Holly R ^[1]; Baca, Justin A; Lipinski, Ronald J ^[2]

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1. Nuclear Systems Design and Analysis Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)
2. Nuclear Technology and Research, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1146 (United States)

The exploration and development of Mars will require abundant surface power. Nuclear reactors are a low-cost, low-mass means of providing that power. A significant fraction of the nuclear power system mass is radiation shielding necessary for protecting humans and/or equipment from radiation emitted by the reactor. For planetary surface missions, it may be desirable to provide some or all of the required shielding from indigenous materials. This paper examines shielding options that utilize either purely indigenous materials or a combination of indigenous and nonindigenous materials.

• OSTI ID: 21202507
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 458, Issue 1; Conference: Space technology and applications international forum - 1999, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 31 Jan - 4 Feb 1999; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.57545; (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
MARS PLANET
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
REACTOR MATERIALS
SHIELDING
SHIELDING MATERIALS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems