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Reactor safety for the Space Exploration InitiativeA task force was created by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to conduct a 90-day study to support efforts to determine requirements to meet the goals of the Space Exploration Initiative. The task force identified the need for a nuclear reactor to provide the electrical power required as the outpost power demands on the moon and Mars evolve into hundreds of kilowatts. A preliminary hazards analysis has been performed to examine safety aspects of nuclear reactor power systems for representative missions to the moon and Mars. Mission profiles were defined for reference lunar and Martian flights. Potential alternatives to each mission phase were also defined. Accident scenarios were qualitatively defined for the mission phases. The safety issues decay heat removal, reactor control, disposal, criticality, end-of-mission shutdown, radiation exposure, the Martian environment, high speed impact on the surfaces of the moon or Mars, and return flyby trajectories were identified.
Document ID
19910045177
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Dix, Terry E.
(Rockwell International Corp. Rocketdyne Div., Canoga Park, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Accession Number
91A29800
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS3-25808
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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