Fission engine concepts.Discussion of numerous approaches to exploitation of fission energy for special applications in more beneficial ways than can be achieved by conventional reactor technology. It is *hown that, for space propulsion, the high temperature plasma core reactor is most desirable. But fissioning plasmas may find applications beyond this. Because of the criticality to be achieved in high temperature gaseous uranium fuel, plasma core reactors would operate at very high pressures, up to a thousand atmospheres, and their power would range from 5000 to 50,000 megawatts. However, apart from obvious technological difficulties, basic physics problems have to be solved before the feasibility of plasma core reactors can be demonstrated. These problems and their implications are discussed.
Document ID
19720027661
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Thom, K. (AEC-NASA, Space Nuclear Systems Office, Washington D.C., United States)
Date Acquired
August 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1971
Subject Category
Nuclear Engineering
Meeting Information
Meeting: Symposium on Uranium Plasmas: Research and Applications