Nuclear Power Fission and Radioisotope

1
Nuclear PowerFission and Radioisotope

• Presented to
• Propulsion and Power Panel
• Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board
• National Research Council
• by
• Joseph J Nainiger
• Alphaport, Inc
• March 21, 2011

2
Presentation Outline

• NASAs need for Space Nuclear Power
• Radioisotope Power Systems
• Fission Power Systems
• Nuclear Power Technical Challenges
• Nuclear Power Infrastructure/Facility Needs

3
NASA Needs for Space Nuclear Power

• Radioisotope Power Systems
• Planetary robotic landers and rovers (100s We
  class)
• Outer planet robotic space probes (100s We
  class)
• Planetary human exploration powering rovers (1
  kWe class) and stand-alone science experiments
  (i.e., ALSEP 100s We)
• Power source for robotic spacecraft using
  electric propulsion (REP - 100s We class)
• Fission Power Systems
• Outer planet robotic space probes ( 1 kWe)
• Planetary human exploration (base power 10s kWe)
• Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP)
• Outer planet robotic space probes (100s kWe)
• Human exploration (several MWes)

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Radioisotope Power Systems
5
Past NASA Missions Using RPSIncluding Moon and
Mars
Since 1961, 41 RTGs have been used on 23 US space
systems.
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RPS Plays a Vital Role in NASAs Future

• For many Science missions, the RPS (power and
  heat) is enabling.
• Most outer planet and beyond spacecraft
• Certain solar and inner planet missions
• Certain Mars and other surface applications
• For Human Exploration
• RPS can be fielded to support precursor
  lander/rover missions.
• RPS is an option for entry-level power and heat
  for human missions and surface operations.
• Multimission RPS (MMRTG and ASRG) are being
  developed with NASA SMD funds
• MMRTG first flight scheduled on Mars Curiosity
  Rover launching this year
• ASRG first flight opportunity potentially on a
  Discovery class mission 2015-2016
• Improved RPSs can be developed to provide full
  range of capabilities.
• Robotic spacecraft and surface missions
• Radioisotope Electric Propulsion (REP)
• Human planetary surface missions (rovers and/or
  stand-alone science experiments)
• Lightweight components are needed to fill
  technology gaps for RPS system development.
• High-efficiency energy conversion (reduce amount
  of Pu-238 needed)
• Heat rejection
• PMAD
• Advanced power conversion technology (Advanced
  Thermoelectrics, Thermo Photovoltaic TPV, and
  Advanced Stirling Duplex) is being funded by NASA
  SMD

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Fission Power Systems
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U.S. Has Pursued Several Aerospace Nuclear
Fission Development Programs Since 1945
ANP
1946-1961, Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Project
1953, Nuclear Energy For Rocket Propulsion, R.
W. Bussard
Rover/NERVA
1955-1973, Nuclear Thermal Rocket
SNAP-2, 8, 10, 50
1957-1973, Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power
MPRE
1958-1966, Medium Power Reactor Experiment
1965, SNAPSHOT
710
1962-1968, 710 Reactor
SPR
1965-1968, Adv. Space Nuc. Power Program (SPR)
1984-1992, SP-100
SPAR / SP-100
MMW
1985-1990
1987-1993
SNTP
2003 - 2005 NSI Prometheus
1945
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
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Significant Space Fission Technology Development
Has Been Conducted
No U.S. Flight and Ground Test Experience Since
1972

• Space Power
• 36 Systems Flown (1 U.S., 35 Russian)
• 5 U.S. ground test reactors operated

• Nuclear Thermal Propulsion
• 20 Ground Test Reactors Operated

U.S. SNAP-10A
Reactor Systems
Russia BUK
Russia TOPAZ
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Fission Technology Enables Or Enhances

• Fuel energy densities 107 that of chemical
  systems
• In-space Power and Propulsion
• Power and propulsion independent of proximity to
  sun or solar illumination
• Constant power level available for thrusting and
  braking
• Go where you want, when you want
• Expanded launch windows
• Enhanced maneuverability
• Faster trip times / reduced human radiation dose
• Surface Power
• Provides power-rich environments
• Telecom
• Habitat
• Insitu Resource Utilization / Propellant
  Production (ISRU / ISPP)
• Enables planetary global access
• Enables Lunar overnight stays
• Fission power non-nuclear component and system
  technology is being developed by NASAs Office of
  Chief Technologist (OCT) Game-Changing Program
  (formerly developed by ESMD ETDP)

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Fission Power Summary

• Fission power and propulsion enable/enhance key
  elements
• Surface power NEP cargo for long-duration human
  lunar missions
• NEP for cargo missions to Moon and Mars
• Surface power NEP for human Mars surface
  missions
• Current NASA fission project is addressing
  non-nuclear subsystem development and non-nuclear
  system testing and could be fielded in the
  timeframe of this study
• The nuclear design is based on state-of-practice
  terrestrial nuclear fuels (UO2) and materials
  (SS)
• Increased DOE participation needed to address the
  nuclear reactor and shielding
• MWe systems can be fielded only IF aggressive and
  sustained technology development efforts are
  increased immediately
• Fuels
• Materials
• Shielding
• Power Conversion
• Power Management Distribution (includes NEP
  Power Processing)
• Heat Rejection
• Propulsion
• Significant, but dated technology base exists
• Technology (knowledge and art) recapture will be
  a key
• Infrastructure development can pace technology
  development
• Opportunities exist to leverage technology
  investments

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Nuclear Power Technical Challenges

• Radioisotope systems
• Lightweight components (power conversion, heat
  rejection, PMAD)
• High efficiency power conversion (reduce amount
  of PU-238 )
• Sub-kW electric propulsion sub-system (for REP)
• Infrastructure (separate chart)
• Fission Systems
• Infrastructure reestablishment (separate chart)
• Technology capture (SP-100, JIMO)
• High temperature fuels and materials (especially
  for NEP applications)
• Shielding
• Autonomous control
• Lifetime
• Dynamic power conversion
• Heat rejection
• PMAD
• High power thruster technology (for NEP)
• Ground Testing (subsystems and systems)

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Nuclear Power Infrastructure/Facility Needs

• Radioisotope Systems
• Domestic production of Pu-238 (5 kg/year)
• Increase capabilities to assemble larger RPSs
• Fission Systems
• Fuels and materials fabrication
• Fuels materials irradiation facilities
• Physics criticals facilities
• Ground test facilities
• Fast-spectrum Test Reactors
• Large EP thruster test facilities
• Vehicle integration facilities
• Launch site facilities
• Fuel reactor shipping transportation
  facilities
• CRITICAL NEED