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.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Space reactor safety


    Additional title:

    Sicherheitsaspekte bei Reaktoren in der Raumfahrt


    Contributors:
    Bunch, D.F. (author)


    Publication date :

    1984


    Size :

    4 Seiten, 7 Quellen


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English





    Safety Considerations of Space Reactor Power Systems

    El-Genk, M.S. / International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety; European Space Agency | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2009



    Safety Analysis Method Study of Space Nuclear Reactor

    Hu, G. / Zhao, S. / Song, Y. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2013