Feasibility and cost benefits of nuclear-powered standardized spacecraft were investigated. The study indicates that two shuttle-launched nuclear-powered spacecraft should be able to serve the majority of unmanned NASA missions anticipated for the 1980's. The standard spacecraft include structure, thermal control, power, attitude control, some propulsion capability and tracking, telemetry, and command subsystems. One spacecraft design, powered by the radioisotope thermoelectric generator, can serve missions requiring up to 450 watts. The other spacecraft design, powered by similar nuclear heat sources in a Brayton-cycle generator, can serve missions requiring up to 2200 watts. Design concepts and trade-offs are discussed. The conceptual designs selected are presented and successfully tested against a variety of missions. The thermal design is such that both spacecraft are capable of operating in any earth orbit and any orientation without modification.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Standardization and economics of nuclear spacecraft: Executive summary


    Publication date :

    1973-01-05


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English


    Keywords :



    Spacecraft Standardization through Nuclear Power

    ELMER J. FREY / BERNARD RAAB / ALFRED SCHOCK AND ROBERT T. CARPENTER | AIAA | 1974


    Accurate Position Measuring Spacecraft Package, Executive Summary

    J. Deza / C. Reines / E. Domingo et al. | NTIS | 1986