PDF-(BOOK)-Space Nuclear Fission Electric Power Systems (Space Nuclear Propulsion and Power)

The advantages of space nuclear fission power systems can be summarized as compact size low to moderate mass long operating lifetimes the ability to operate in extremely hostile environments operation independent of the distance from the Sun or of the orientation to the Sun and high system reliability and autonomy In fact as power requirements approach the tens of kilowatts and megawatts fission nuclear energy appears to be the only realistic power option The building blocks for space nuclear fission electric power systems include the reactor as the heat source power generation equipment to convert the thermal energy to electrical power waste heat rejection radiators and shielding to protect the spacecraft payload The power generation equipment can take the form of either static electrical conversion elements that have no moving parts eg thermoelectric or thermionic or dynamic conversion components eg the Rankine Brayton or Stirling cycle The US has only demonstrated in space or even in full systems in a simulated ground environment uraniumzirconiumhydride reactor power plants These power plants were designed for a limited lifetime of one year and the mass of scaled up power plants would probably be unacceptable to meet future mission needs Extensive development was performed on the liquidmetal cooled SP100 power systems and components were well on their way to being tested in a relevant environment A generic flight system design was completed for a seven year operating lifetime power plant but not built or tested The former USSR made extensive use of space reactors as a power source for radar ocean reconnaissance satellites They launched some 31 missions using reactors with thermoelectric power conversion systems and two with thermionic converters Current activities are centered on Fission Surface Power for lunar applications Activities are concentrating on demonstrating component readiness This book will discuss the components that make up a nuclear fission power system the principal requirements and safety issues various development programs status of developments and development issues. Special Topic 2014. Exam Craft mock 2014. Define the term Nuclear Fusion:. It is the process the nucleus of an atom (uranium or plutonium) is bombarded with neutrons. This splits the nucleus (fission) realising large amounts of energy in the form of heat.. The Nucleus. Protons – . 1.672 . × 10. 27. kg. Neutrons – 1.675 . × 10. 27. kg. isotopes. Strong Nuclear Force. Holds the protons and neutrons together.. Third Fundamental Force (after gravity and the electromagnetic forces). . Stations. . Nuclear power station. s. Introduction. . What’s in a Nucleus. The nucleus of an atom is made up of . protons. and neutrons. each is about 2000 times the mass of the electron, and thus constitutes the vast majority of the mass of a neutral atom (equal number of protons and electrons). How it works?. Just as conventional power-stations generate electricity by harnessing the . thermal energy . released from .  . burning fossil fuels, . nuclear reactors convert the thermal energy released from . st . Century. Liping Gan.  . University of North Carolina Wilmington.  . Outline. Introduction. What is nuclear energy?. Early history of nuclear power. Current status. Critical Issues. Future of nuclear energy. Nuclear . Rocket Engines. Nuclear Rocket Engines. Nuclear Thermal Rockets : Propellant gets heated by conduction/. convection from fuel. . Nuclear Electric Propulsion: Electric power generated by . Nuclear power plant. 2. NUCLEAR FUEL. Nuclear . fuel is any material that can be consumed to derive nuclear energy. The most common type of nuclear fuel is fissile elements that can be made to undergo nuclear fission chain reactions in a nuclear reactor . generation. Ruaridh Macdonald. PhD Student, Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE). Alumni Mentor. Who’s this guy. Ruaridh (Rory) Macdonald. PhD student in NSE (Course 22). Undergrad at MIT (‘12); Mission 2012 student. http://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power1.htm. 10 facts about NUCLEAR FISSION. 1. . Nuclear Fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus into two smaller nuclei of approximately equal mass. . Stephen Hevert. Affiliate Professor. Metropolitan State College of Denver.   . http://my.execpc.com/~culp/space/as07_lau.jpg. What Is Propulsion?. Initiating or changing the motion of a body. Translational. Nuclear Fission. We convert mass into energy by breaking large atoms (usually Uranium) into smaller atoms. Note the increases in binding energy per nucleon.. A slow moving neutron induces fission in Uranium 235. 84 85 The Multimegawatt Program Taking Space Reactors to the Next Level s development of a 100-kilowatt electric space reactor power system progressed under the SP-100 program, space-based weapon and For operating in severe environments, long life and reliability, radioisotope power systems have proven to be the most successful of all space power sources. Two Voyager missions launched in 1977 to study Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and their satellites, rings and magnetic fields and continuing to the heliosphere region are still functioning over thirty years later. Radioisotope power systems have been used on the Moon, exploring the planets, and exiting our solar system. There success is a tribute to the outstanding engineering, quality control and attention to details that went into the design and production of radioisotope power generation units. Space nuclear radioisotope systems take the form of using the thermal energy from the decay of radioisotopes and converting this energy to electric power. Reliability and safety are of prime importance. Mission success depends on the ability of being able to safely launch the systems and on having sufficient electrical power over the life of the mission. Graceful power degradation over the life of a mission is acceptable as long as it is within predictable limits. Electrical power conversion systems with inherent redundancy, such as thermoelectric conversion systems, have been favored to date. Also, radioactive decay heat has been used to maintain temperatures in spacecraft at acceptable conditions for other components. This book describes how radioisotope systems work, the requirements and safety design considerations, the various systems that have been developed, and their operational history. 8.4.2 Distinguish between controlled nuclear and uncontrolled nuclear fission. . 8.4.3 Describe what is meant by fuel enrichment.. Topic 8: Energy, power, climate change. 8.4 Non-fossil fuel power production.