External fuel thermionic reactor system.Thermionic reactors are prime candidates for nuclear electric propulsion. The national thermionic reactor effort is concentrated on the flashlight concept with the external-fuel concept as the backup. The external-fuel concept is very adaptable to a completely modular power subsystem which is attractive for highly reliable long-life applications. The 20- to 25-cm long, externally-fueled converters have been designed, fabricated, and successfully tested with many thermal cycles by electrical heating. However, difficulties have been encountered during encapsulation for nuclear heated tests and none have been started to date. These nuclear tests are required to demonstrate the concept feasibility.
Document ID
19720050914
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Mondt, J. F.
Peelgren, M. L. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)