On-orbit service (OOS) of spacecraft: A review of engineering developments

S: Since the 1960’s the United States of America has launched several space missions using nuclear technology as a mean for propulsion and power supply. The majority of the American nuclear powered spacecrafts were based in radioisotope generators, with the exception of the SNAP-10A (1965), which was the only American reactor ever launched. However, some of the most notorious nuclear reactor based projects developed in the USA in the last four decades were the SPAR/SP-100(an evolution of the Space Power Advanced Reactor program), the Space Prototype (SP-100), the Prometheus, and the Fission Surface Power (FSP). The latter is still in progress and the others were closed before its completion. This paper describes the main details about each one of these projects with the purpose of serving as a review of the technical history for the major realization steps that were conducted in the USA. This manuscript also approaches the contemporary state-of-the-art, with emphasis to the Demonstration Using Flattop Fission (DUFF) experiment and it’s follow-on project, the Kilopower prototype reactor.

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American Space Nuclear Electric Systems

Thermoelectric characteristics analysis of thermionic space nuclear power reactor

Rigid-flexible coupling dynamic modeling and analysis of dumbbell-shaped spacecraft

Numerical simulation on thermal-hydraulic and thermoelectric characteristics of the TOPAZ-II reactor core

The proposed designs of high-power space tugs that utilize solar or nuclear energy to power an electric jet engine are reviewed. The conceptual design of a nuclear power propulsion system (NPPS) is described; its structural diagram, gas circuit, and electric diagram are discussed. The NPPS incorporates a nuclear reactor, a thermal-to-electric energy conversion system, a system for the conversion and distribution of electric energy, and an electric propulsion system. Two criterion parameters were chosen in the considered NPPS design: the temperature of gaseous working medium at the nuclear reactor outlet and the rotor speed of turboalternators. The maintenance of these parameters at a given level guarantees that the needed electric voltage is generated and allows for power mode control. The processes of startup/shutdown and increasing/reducing the power, the principles of distribution of electric energy over loads, and the probable emergencies for the proposed NPPS design are discussed.

Nuclear power propulsion system for spacecraft

Expanding space exploration in near-Earth space and deep space calls for an increase in power supply of space vehicles to a level of hundreds of kilowatts and higher. Pre-requisite for successful implementation of works on development of power propulsion systems of such power level, including those with nuclear energy sources, is availability of a full-scale experimental test bench equipment. A unique experimental test bench has been built and is successfully operating at JSC «Keldysh Research Center», which allows performing both research and developmental tests of key components of high-performance power and propulsion systems under conditions close to nominal operating conditions. The article describes the main components of JSC «Keldysh Research Center» test bench equipment, presents some results of the work fulfilled on it, outlines prospects for its furtherance and use in development of space high-performance power and propulsion systems.
Key words: testing, ground developmental testing, power conversion system, test bench equipment, electric propulsion, power and propulsion system.

Yu. A. Oshev

Papers

Nuclear power propulsion system for spacecraft

Test bench equipment of keldysh research centre for testing high-performance power and propulsion systems