A bimodal power and propulsion system based on cermet fuel and heat pipe energy transport

Conference · Mon May 01 04:00:00 UTC 1995

OSTI ID:71378

Polansky, G F ^[1]; Gunther, N A ^[2]; Rochow, R F ^[3]; Bixler, C H ^[4]

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1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. Gunther (Norman A.), San Jose, CA (United States)
3. Novatech, Lynchburg, VA (United States)
4. Bixler (Charles H.), Mannford, OK (United States)

Bimodal space reactor systems provide both thermal propulsion for the spacecraft orbital transfer and electrical power to the spacecraft bus once it is on station. These systems have the potential to increase both the available payload in high energy orbits and the available power to that payload. These increased mass and power capabilities can be used to either reduce mission cost by permitting the use of smaller launch vehicles or to provide increased mission performance from the current launch vehicle. A major barrier to the deployment of these bimodal systems has been the cost associated with their development. This paper describes a bimodal reactor system with performance potential to permit more than 70% of the instrumented payload of the Titan IV/Centaur to be launched from the Atlas IIAS. The development cost is minimized by basing the design on existing component technologies.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 71378
• Report Number(s): SAND--95-0903C; CONF-950729--4; ON: DE95011890
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DESIGN
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
NUCLEAR FUELS
POWER GENERATION
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
RADIATORS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR SAFETY
RHENIUM ALLOYS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION
TUNGSTEN ALLOYS
URANIUM OXIDES