Application of a NEPTUNE Propulsion Concept to a Manned Mars Excursion

Abstract

NEPTUNE is a multimegawatt electric propulsion system. It uses a proven compact nuclear thermal rocket, NERVA, in a closed cycle with a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator to power a magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster. This thesis defines constraints on an externally sourced propulsion system intended to carry out a manned Martian excursion. It assesses NEPTUNE's ability to conform to these constraints. Because an unmodified NEPTUNE system is too large, the thesis develops modifications to the system which reduce its size. The result is a far less proven, but more useful derivative of the unmodified NEPTUNE system.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA268053

Entities

People

  • Charles J. Finley

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Electric Power
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electron Gas
  • Energy Transfer
  • Engineers
  • Heat Energy
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters
  • Mechatronic Engineering
  • Perihelions
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Thermal Propulsion Systems
  • Thermodynamics
  • Transfer Orbits

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster