Space Nuclear Propulsion: History, Cost, and Status of Programs

Abstract

DOD and NASA are pursuing separate approaches to develop space nuclear thermal propulsion programs. The DOD program differs from the NASA approach primarily in the manner in which the nuclear fuel is packed in the reactor. NASA's approach, based on technology developed and tested from 1955 to 1972, involves the use of nuclear fuel encased in rods. DOD's approach envisions use of a nuclear fuel encapsulated in very small particles. If this particle bed reactor technology can be developed, it is expected to significantly increase the performance of future nuclear rocket engines.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1992
Accession Number
AD1122973

Entities

People

  • Nancy R. Kingsbury

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Corporations
  • Department Of Defense
  • Earth Orbits
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Fission
  • Fuels
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Nuclear Fuels
  • Nuclear Propulsion
  • Nuclear Reactors
  • Orbits
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Rocket Engines
  • Rocket Propulsion
  • Rockets
  • Space Exploration
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test Facilities
  • Thermal Propulsion Systems
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology.
  • Solar Physics

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster