The fundamental capability of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) is game changing for space exploration. A first generation NTP system could provide high thrust at a specific impulse (Isp) above 900 s, roughly double that of state of the art chemical engines. Characteristics of fission and NTP indicate that useful first generation systems will provide a foundation for future systems with extremely high performance. The role of a first generation NTP in the development of advanced nuclear propulsion systems could be analogous to the role of the DC-3 in the development of advanced aviation systems.
The NASA Advanced Exploration Systems Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Project
AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference ; 2015 ; Orlando, FL, United States
2015-07-27
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Keine Angabe
Englisch
The NASA Advanced Exploration Systems Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Project (AIAA 2015-3772)
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2015
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