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Development Progress in Phase 1 Fission Propulsion SystemsPhase 1 fission propulsion systems are those fission propulsion systems that are highly testable and require no development of nuclear fuels or materials. The systems can be developed without new or significantly modified facilities, have adequate performance for numerous missions of interest, and demonstrate technologies and programmatics that are traceable to Phase 2 and Phase 3 systems. Phase 1 fission propulsion systems focus on safety, cost and schedule. Phase 1 flight units can be tested at full thrust using resistance heaters to simulate heat from fission. The development and use of Phase 1 systems will help enable Phase 2 or Phase 3 fission propulsion systems capable of giving rapid, affordable access to any point in the solar system. A Phase 1 fission propulsion system under development at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in collaboration with individuals from Department of Energy Laboratories and industry is the Safe Affordable Fission Engine (SAFE). The propellant energy source of a 30 kW SAFE unit (SAFE-30) is being fabricated, and will begin testing at MSFC in FY00. The conceptual design of a 300 kW SAFE unit (SAFE-300)is nearing completion. Experiments have been performed on both SAFE-30 and SAFE-300 components. Module tests have confirmed the performance potential of the SAFE series of propulsion systems. This paper will report on the development status of the Phase 1 SAFE fission propulsion system.
Document ID
20000074967
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Houts, Michael G.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
VanDyke, Melissa
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Godfroy, Tom
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Martin, Jim
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Dickens, Ricky
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Pedersen, Kevin
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Poston, David
(Los Alamos National Lab. NM United States)
Reid, Bob
(Los Alamos National Lab. NM United States)
Lipinski, Ron
(Sandia National Labs. United States)
Wright, Steve
(Sandia National Labs. United States)
Lenard, Roger
(Sandia National Labs. United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
May 22, 2000
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: Advanced Space Propulsion Research
Location: Pasadena, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: May 31, 2000
End Date: June 2, 2000
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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