Nuclear-Powered Flight. Chapter 1: Introduction and Summary

Abstract

This report considers the use of nuclear power for supersonic jet propelled missiles, and airplanes operating in the high subsonic range. Nuclear satellite and escape rockets are also briefly discussed. In all cases comparison is made missiles using conventional fuel to accomplish a comparable task. A payload of 12, 000 pounds in the form of a sphere six feet in diameter is assumed. In the case of rockets, a range of 5,000 miles is assumed, for the most part. From the standpoint of aerodynamic and propulsive design, it is not necessary to state a range for missiles flying in the upper atmosphere and carrying no oxygen, because the range is limited only by fa8ilure of nuclear reactor.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 14, 1947
Accession Number
AD1185488

Entities

People

  • A. C. Beer
  • A. W. Lemmon
  • Arthur E. Ruark
  • C. E. Swartz
  • C. F. Meyer
  • E. A. Bonney
  • F. T. Mcclure
  • George Carlton
  • George Gamow
  • H. H. Porter
  • J. A. Van Allen
  • J. E. Cook
  • N. M. Jr Smith
  • R. B. Kershner
  • R. B. Roberts
  • R. J. Vicars
  • Shirleigh Silverman

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Differential Equations
  • Energy
  • Energy Transfer
  • Equations
  • Heat Transfer
  • High Altitude
  • Hydrogen
  • Jet Aircraft
  • Materials
  • Melting Point
  • Neutrons
  • Nuclear Reactors
  • Payload
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster