The use of nuclear systems for propulsion and power are being examined as system options for implementing the lunar and Mars human exploration missions currently being studied by NASA. Systems might include nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) and nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) vehicles, operating reactors on coorbiting platforms, radioisotope thermoelectric generators, and others. The space station, as a transportation node, would have to store, assemble, launch and refurbish elements containing these systems. Care must be taken to safeguard humans from the radiation imposed by these systems, in addition to the naturally occuring background of the space environment. Key issues need to be identified early to enable their proper consideration in planning activities and the baseline space station design. A study was conducted over the past year with Texas A&M University to identify and explore key issues and quantify findings in a way useful to the Space Station Program.
Accommodation of Nuclear Power and Propulsion Concepts
1990
31 pages
Report
No indication
English
Nuclear Propulsion , Unmanned Spacecraft , Manned Spacecraft , Space Technology , International space station , Safety management , Radiation dosage , Flight crews , Nuclear electric power generation , Nuclear propulsion , Systems engineering , Extraterrestrial radiation , Biological effects , Spacecraft propulsion , Radiation shielding , Thermoelectric generators , Radioisotope batteries , Structural design , Nuclear reactors
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