NASA safety program activities in support of the Space Exploration Initiatives Nuclear Propulsion programThe activities of the joint NASA/DOE/DOD Nuclear Propulsion Program Technical Panels have been used as the basis for the current development of safety policies and requirements for the Space Exploration Initiatives (SEI) Nuclear Propulsion Technology development program. The Safety Division of the NASA Office of Safety and Mission Quality has initiated efforts to develop policies for the safe use of nuclear propulsion in space through involvement in the joint agency Nuclear Safety Policy Working Group (NSPWG), encouraged expansion of the initial policy development into proposed programmatic requirements, and suggested further expansion into the overall risk assessment and risk management process for the NASA Exploration Program. Similar efforts are underway within the Department of Energy to ensure the safe development and testing of nuclear propulsion systems on Earth. This paper describes the NASA safety policy related to requirements for the design of systems that may operate where Earth re-entry is a possibility. The expected plan of action is to support and oversee activities related to the technology development of nuclear propulsion in space, and support the overall safety and risk management program being developed for the NASA Exploration Program.
Document ID
19930039059
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sawyer, J. C., Jr. (NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Subject Category
Astronautics (General)
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 93-0376
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA, Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit