The United States has nearly 30 years of successful and safe operational experience with space nuclear power systems. Missions are being identified which may require a new generation of reactors as power sources in space. A heightened awareness of safety issues, in part due to the failure of two Soviet satellites powered by small reactors, requires that extraordinary measures be taken for this new generation of power systems. The approach being used in the SP-100 space reactor program is described. It is concluded that basic decisions concerning mass, volume, power, and lifetime dictate the general safety characteristics of any space reactor. Relaxation of performance goals may be required to meet requisite safety goals.
Space reactor safety
Sicherheitsaspekte bei Reaktoren in der Raumfahrt
1984
4 Seiten, 7 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
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