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. Propulsion System. A machine that produces thrust to push an object forward. The amount of thrust depends on the mass flow through the engine and the exit velocity of the gas. Airplane Propulsion Systems. Uma Lad. PHY 3305: Modern Physics. December 2, 2014. Outline. . Fission and fusion will be defined. . Examples of fission and fusion will be discussed. . Modern day applications of these reactions will be discussed. . 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). I can draw a . model of nuclear fission.. I can . recognize a nuclear fission equation. .. I can . describe two applications for nuclear fission.. I can . draw a model of nuclear fusion. .. I can . recognize a nuclear fusion equation. The "jet" or exhaust power (P. jet. ) of any thruster is: . P. jet. = 1/2 g. c. I. sp. F . Thus, for a situation where we wish to fix the thrust at a constant value, as specific impulse increases, the jet power must also increase. . Allie Burton. November 21, 2015. Creating Propulsion. First, one must cool electromagnets to very low temperatures. In the nanoseconds after applying electricity to them, the electromagnets will begin to vibrate. 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. . Large nuclei split into 2 smaller more stable nuclei. Sometimes natural. Most of the time extra energy is needed. Usually neutrons are released . Released neutrons may then hit other nuclei causing a . 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. Ian Gauld. Marco Pigni. Reactor and Nuclear Systems Division. May 2, 2013. Nuclear decay data from an end-user perspective.. Evaluated decay data have major importance to areas of reactor safety and nuclear fuel cycle analysis. Mary Regina Martin, Robert A. Swanson, and Ulhas P. Kamath. The Boeing Company, Houston, TX 77059. Francisco J. Hernandez and Victor Spencer. NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058. Overview. 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. Enormous Energies. Nuclear Fission. Take a large atom and impact the nucleus with a particle. . Split the atom releasing high energy, more high energy neutrons, and two daughter nuclides.. Fission occurs only rarely in nature. Alpha decay is much more common..