Journal ArticleDOI
Civilian uses of nuclear reactors in space
Robert Rosen,A. Dan Schnyer +1 more
TLDR
The potential for civilian mission applications of space nuclear reactor power systems is addressed in this paper, where a wide range of possible civilian missions, including human and unmanned solar system exploration, are identified, along with earth-orbit applications.Abstract:
The potential for civilian mission applications of space nuclear reactor power systems is addressed in this paper. A wide range of possible civilian missions, including human and unmanned solar system exploration, are identified, along with earth-orbit applications. These missions would require versatile, high-capacity space power systems whose attributes can best be provided by nuclear technology. The long mission durations, the high power levels required to fulfill many of the challenging mission objectives, and in some instances the lack of solar energy render the use of nuclear power sources as either mission-enabling or very advantageous.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Deployment history and design considerations for space reactor power systems
TL;DR: The history of the deployment of nuclear reactors in Earth orbits is reviewed with emphases on lessons learned and the operation and safety experiences in this paper, where the authors present a review of the history of nuclear propulsion systems in Earth orbit.
Journal ArticleDOI
Performance and radiological analyses of a space reactor power system deployed into a 1000-3000 km earth orbit
TL;DR: In this paper, the performance and radiological analyses of a space reactor power system to support space-based, radar satellites in a 1000-3000 km orbit for global civilian air and ocean traffic control are presented.
Book ChapterDOI
Safety guidelines for space nuclear reactor power and propulsion systems
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented the technology and design options for space reactor power systems and presented design and system integration choices to enhance the safety and reliability of these systems, including passive operation, decay heat removal, and the absence of single point failures in the reactor design.
The Role of Nuclear Power in Space Exploration and the Associated Environmental Issues: An Overview*
TL;DR: A forward-looking analysis of our situation on Earth reveals that space exploration will one day provide natural resources that will enable further exploration and provide new sources for dwindling materials to offset increasing prices on Earth as discussed by the authors.
Book ChapterDOI
Nuclear-powered space reactor
TL;DR: The use of nuclear energy for propulsion in spacecraft and also as a source of power for space missions has been discussed in this article, where the authors focus on the existing nuclear applications in space exploration since the early 1960s and any future work that is going on related to this field.
References
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Preliminary survey of 21st century civil mission applications of space nuclear power
TL;DR: The applicability of an SP-100 type of nuclear power system was assessed for each of the selected missions, and a strawman nuclear power configuration was drawn up for each mission.