Lunar in-core thermionic nuclear reactor power system conceptual designThis paper presents a conceptual design of a lunar in-core thermionic reactor power system. The concept consists of a thermionic reactor located in a lunar excavation with surface mounted waste heat radiators. The system was integrated with a proposed lunar base concept representative of recent NASA Space Exploration Initiative studies. The reference mission is a permanently-inhabited lunar base requiring a 550 kWe, 7 year life central power station. Performance parameters and assumptions were based on the Thermionic Fuel Element (TFE) Verification Program. Five design cases were analyzed ranging from conservative to advanced. The cases were selected to provide sensitivity effects on the achievement of TFE program goals.
Document ID
19930029839
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mason, Lee S. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Schmitz, Paul C. (Sverdrup Technology, Inc. Brook Park, OH, United States)
Gallup, Donald R. (Sandia National Labs. Albuquerque, NM, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: In: Space nuclear power systems; Proceedings of the 8th Symposium, Albuquerque, NM, Jan. 6-10, 1991. Pt. 2 (A93-13751 03-20)