NERVA-derived rocket module for solar system exploration

Conference · Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:5884649

Zweig, H R; Cooper, M H

A 50,000 pound thrust nuclear thermal rocket engine module concept based on Rover/NERVA technology is presented. Key engine features selected for reliability and safety have been integrated into this concept to provide 4.5 hours of full-thrust operation at a specific impulse of over 850 seconds. Those features include a single turbopump with an expander turbine, tank-head start in space, open-cycle decay heat removal with minimal loss of propellant, reactor cold end axial reflector, and tie tubes which are insulated end which are not used to provide turbine power. The tie tube configuration complements the open cycle decay heat removal concept. Retractable safety rods for water immersion subcriticality were considered and a design concept was developed. Other important safety issues were identified, and their method for accommodation in the design were considered for future implementation. 5 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5884649
• Report Number(s): AIAA-Paper-93-2110; CONF-930633-
• Resource Relation: Conference: Joint AIAA/SAE/ASME propulsion conference, Monterey, CA (United States), 28-30 Jun 1993
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
PROPULSION REACTORS
DESIGN
RELIABILITY
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
COST ESTIMATION
ION PROPULSION
LUNA SPACE PROBES
MARS SPACE PROBES
NERVA REACTOR
PERFORMANCE
PUMP TURBINES
ROCKET ENGINES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
GAS COOLED REACTORS
HYDRAULIC TURBINES
HYDROGEN COOLED REACTORS
MACHINERY
MOBILE REACTORS
POWER REACTORS
PROPULSION
REACTORS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
VEHICLES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
210600* - Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable