Assessment of Coated Particle Fuels for Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion Systems: A Report for the NESC Nuclear Power & Propulsion Technical Discipline Team

This study evaluates terrestrial reactor fuel forms, with an emphasis on the coated particle fuel capability under
development by interagency reactor programs, for application to space reactor systems of interest to NASA. A
comprehensive review of coated particle fuel readiness and qualification status has been performed. Possible derivative
fuel forms based on coated particle fuel manufacture technologies are identified and assessed for fission surface power,
nuclear electric propulsion, and nuclear thermal propulsion systems. Assessments for terrestrial coated particle and historic
fuels were compared for each system allowing for relative risk and common fuel qualification needs to be identified.