NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Lunar mission design using Nuclear Thermal RocketsThe NERVA-class Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR), with performance nearly double that of advanced chemical engines, has long been considered an enabling technology for human missions to Mars. NTR engines address the demanding trip time and payload delivery needs of both cargo-only and piloted flights. But NTR can also reduce the Earth launch requirements for manned lunar missions. First use of NTR for the Moon would be less demanding and would provide a test-bed for early operations experience with this powerful technology. Study of application and design options indicates that NTR propulsion can be integrated with the Space Exploration Initiative scenarios to deliver performance gains while managing controlled, long-term disposal of spent reactors to highly stable orbits.
Document ID
19930029770
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Stancati, Michael L.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Collins, John T.
(Science Applications International Corp. Schaumburg, IL, United States)
Borowski, Stanley K.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: In: Space nuclear power systems; Proceedings of the 8th Symposium, Albuquerque, NM, Jan. 6-10, 1991. Pt. 1 (A93-13751 03-20)
Publisher: American Institute of Physics
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Accession Number
93A13767
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS3-25809
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available