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Guidance, Navigation, and Control Considerations for Nuclear Thermal PropulsionThe fundamental capability of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) is game changing for space exploration. A first generation NTP system could provide high thrust at a specific impulse above 900 s, roughly double that of state of the art chemical engines. Characteristics of fission and NTP indicate that useful first generation systems will provide a foundation for future systems with extremely high performance. The role of a first generation NTP in the development of advanced nuclear propulsion systems could be analogous to the role of the DC-3 in the development of advanced aviation. Progress made under the NTP project could also help enable high performance fission power systems and Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP). Guidance, navigation, and control of NTP may have some unique but manageable characteristics.
Document ID
20150006879
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Houts, Michael G.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Mitchell, Doyce P.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Kim, Tony
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
April 29, 2015
Publication Date
January 30, 2015
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Nuclear Physics
Report/Patent Number
M15-4371
Meeting Information
Meeting: Annual AAS Guidance and Control Conference
Location: Breckenridge, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: January 30, 2015
End Date: February 4, 2015
Sponsors: American Astronautical Society
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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