Development costs for a nuclear electric propulsion stage.Development costs are presented for an unmanned nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) stage based upon a liquid metal cooled, in-core thermionic reactor. A total of 120 kWe are delivered to the thrust subsystem which employs mercury ion engines for electric propulsion. This study represents the most recent cost evaluation of the development of a reactor power system for a wide range of nuclear space power applications. These include geocentric, and outer planet and other deep space missions. The development program is described for the total NEP stage, based upon specific development programs for key NEP stage components and subsystems.
Document ID
19730053632
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Mondt, J. F. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Propulsion Research and Advanced Concepts Section, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Prickett, W. Z. (General Electric Co. Philadelphia, Pa., United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1973
Subject Category
Nuclear Engineering
Meeting Information
Meeting: Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference