Nuclear rocket propulsion: NASA plans and progress - FY 1991NASA has initiated planning for a technology development project for nuclear rocket propulsion systems for space exploration initiative (SEI) human and robotic missions to the Moon and to Mars. An interagency project is underway that includes the Department of Energy National Laboratories for nuclear technology development. The activities of the project planning team in FY 1990 and 1991 are summarized. The progress to date is discussed, and the project plan is reviewed. Critical technology issues were identified and include: (1) nuclear fuel temperature, life, and reliability; (2) nuclear system ground test; (3) safety; (4) autonomous system operation and health monitoring; and (5) minimum mass and high specific impulse.
Document ID
19920067960
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Clark, John S. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Miller, Thomas J. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: IECEC ''91: Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference