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Instrumentation Requirements for the Engineering Evaluation of Nuclear-Electric SpacecraftSpacecraft employing nuclear-electric propulsion are being proposed for missions to Venus and distances beyond. These spacecraft utilize a nuclear reactor to provide thermal energy to a turboalternator which generates electric power for an ion motor and the other spacecraft systems. This Report discusses the instrumentation and communications system needed to evaluate a nuclear-electric spacecraft in flight, along with the problems expected. A representative spacecraft design is presented, which leads to a discussion of the instrumentation needed to evaluate such a spacecraft. A basic communications system is considered for transmitting the spacecraft data to Earth. The instrumentation and communications system, as well as all electronic systems on a nuclear-electric spacecraft, will be operating in high temperature and nuclear-radiation environments. The problems caused by these environments are discussed, and possible solutions are offered.
Document ID
19630043386
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Other
Authors
Apel, W. C.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 1, 2013
Publication Date
October 25, 1961
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
JPL-TR-32-160
Accession Number
63N86279
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASW-6
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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