A preliminary feasibility assessment of the integration of reactor power system concepts with a projected growth space station architecture was conducted to address a variety of installation, operational, disposition and safety issues. A previous NASA sponsored study, which showed the advantages of space station-attached concepts, served as the basis for this study. A study methodology was defined and implemented to assess compatible combinations of reactor power installation concepts, disposal destinations, and propulsion methods. Three installation concepts that met a set of integration criteria were characterized from a configuration and operational viewpoint, with end-of-life disposal mass identified. Disposal destinations that met current aerospace nuclear safety criteria were identified and characterized from an operational and energy requirements viewpoint, with delta-V energy requirement as a key parameter. Chemical propulsion methods that met current and near-term application criteria were identified and payload mass and delta-V capabilities were characterized. These capabilities were matched against concept disposal mass and destination delta-V requirements to provide a feasibility of each combination.
A feasibility assessment of nuclear reactor power system concepts for the NASA growth space station
Bewertung der Durchfuehrbarkeit von Konzepten fuer Kernreaktorenergiesysteme der NASA-Raumstation
1986
9 Seiten, 8 Bilder, 6 Tabellen, 5 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Reactor-Thermoelectric Systems for NASA Space Station
NTIS | 1969
|Current NASA space station planning
NTRS | 1982
|