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Performance potential of gas-core and fusion rockets - A mission applications survey.This paper reports an evaluation of the performance potential of five nuclear rocket engines for four mission classes. These engines are: the regeneratively cooled gas-core nuclear rocket; the light bulb gas-core nuclear rocket; the space-radiator cooled gas-core nuclear rocket; the fusion rocket; and an advanced solid-core nuclear rocket which is included for comparison. The missions considered are: earth-to-orbit launch; near-earth space missions; close interplanetary missions; and distant interplanetary missions. For each of these missions, the capabilities of each rocket engine type are compared in terms of payload ratio for the earth launch mission or by the initial vehicle mass in earth orbit for space missions (a measure of initial cost). Other factors which might determine the engine choice are discussed. It is shown that a 60 day manned round trip to Mars is conceivable.-
Document ID
19720027662
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Fishbach, L. H.
Willis, E. A., Jr.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Flight Systems Section, Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Date Acquired
August 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1971
Subject Category
Nuclear Engineering
Meeting Information
Meeting: Symposium on Uranium Plasmas: Research and Applications
Location: Atlanta, GA
Start Date: November 15, 1971
End Date: November 17, 1971
Accession Number
72A11328
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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