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Nuclear safety considerations in the conceptual design of a fast reactor for space electric power and propulsionSome nuclear safety aspects of a 3.2 mWt heat pipe cooled fast reactor with out-of-core thermionic converters are discussed. Safety related characteristics of the design including a thin layer of B4C surrounding the core, the use of heat pipes and BeO reflector assembly, the elimination of fuel element bowing, etc., are highlighted. Potential supercriticality hazards and countermeasures are considered. Impacts of some safety guidelines of space transportation system are also briefly discussed, since the currently developing space shuttle would be used as the primary launch vehicle for the nuclear electric propulsion spacecraft.
Document ID
19770041059
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hsieh, T.-M.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Koenig, D. R.
(California, University Los Alamos, N. Mex., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1977
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 77-492
Meeting Information
Meeting: Conference on the Future of Aerospace Power Systems
Location: St. Louis, MO
Start Date: March 1, 1977
End Date: March 3, 1977
Sponsors: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Accession Number
77A23911
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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