The potential of Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) to meet the increasing demands of our planetary space exploration program is examined and evaluated. Based on an assumption of a modest growth beyond current technology, an NEP system is described that provides performance advantage over all competitive technologies. Flight times and available payload mass - as indicators of mission performance - are compared for several mission opportunities of interest. NEP is shown to have a unique capacity for substantial reductions in mission flight times in terms of payloads consistent with the needs of planetary exploration.
Nuclear Electric Propulsion - A concept for solar system exploration
Joint Propulsion Conference ; 1981 ; Colorado Springs, CO, US
1981-07-01
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Keine Angabe
Englisch
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