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Gaseous-fuel nuclear reactor research for multimegawatt power in spaceIn the gaseous-fuel reactor concept, the fissile material is contained in a moderator-reflector cavity and exists in the form of a flowing gas or plasma separated from the cavity walls by means of fluid mechanical forces. Temperatures in excess of structural limitations are possible for low-specific-mass power and high-specific-impulse propulsion in space. Experiments have been conducted with a canister filled with enriched UF6 inserted into a beryllium-reflected cavity. A theoretically predicted critical mass of 6 kg was measured. The UF6 was also circulated through this cavity, demonstrating stable reactor operation with the fuel in motion. Because the flowing gaseous fuel can be continuously processed, the radioactive waste in this type of reactor can be kept small. Another potential of fissioning gases is the possibility of converting the kinetic energy of fission fragments directly into coherent electromagnetic radiation, the nuclear pumping of lasers. Numerous nuclear laser experiments indicate the possibility of transmitting power in space directly from fission energy. The estimated specific mass of a multimegawatt gaseous-fuel reactor power system is from 1 to 5 kg/kW while the companion laser-power receiver station would be much lower in specific mass.
Document ID
19770068591
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Thom, K.
(NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Schneider, R. T.
(Florida, University Gainesville, Fla., United States)
Helmick, H. H.
(California, University Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, N. Mex., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1977
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
IAF PAPER 77-140
Accession Number
77A51443
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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