Priorities in Space Science Enabled by Nuclear Power and Propulsion

Priorities in Space Science Enabled by Nuclear Power and Propulsion PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309180104
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 158

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Book Description
In 2003, NASA began an R&D effort to develop nuclear power and propulsion systems for solar system exploration. This activity, renamed Project Prometheus in 2004, was initiated because of the inherent limitations in photovoltaic and chemical propulsion systems in reaching many solar system objectives. To help determine appropriate missions for a nuclear power and propulsion capability, NASA asked the NRC for an independent assessment of potentially highly meritorious missions that may be enabled if space nuclear systems became operational. This report provides a series of space science objectives and missions that could be so enabled in the period beyond 2015 in the areas of astronomy and astrophysics, solar system exploration, and solar and space physics. It is based on but does not reprioritize the findings of previous NRC decadal surveys in those three areas.

Priorities in Space Science Enabled by Nuclear Power and Propulsion

Priorities in Space Science Enabled by Nuclear Power and Propulsion PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309180104
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 158

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Book Description
In 2003, NASA began an R&D effort to develop nuclear power and propulsion systems for solar system exploration. This activity, renamed Project Prometheus in 2004, was initiated because of the inherent limitations in photovoltaic and chemical propulsion systems in reaching many solar system objectives. To help determine appropriate missions for a nuclear power and propulsion capability, NASA asked the NRC for an independent assessment of potentially highly meritorious missions that may be enabled if space nuclear systems became operational. This report provides a series of space science objectives and missions that could be so enabled in the period beyond 2015 in the areas of astronomy and astrophysics, solar system exploration, and solar and space physics. It is based on but does not reprioritize the findings of previous NRC decadal surveys in those three areas.

Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aeronautics
Languages : en
Pages : 892

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Book Description


Radioisotope Power Systems

Radioisotope Power Systems PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309141761
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 69

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Book Description
Spacecraft require electrical energy. This energy must be available in the outer reaches of the solar system where sunlight is very faint. It must be available through lunar nights that last for 14 days, through long periods of dark and cold at the higher latitudes on Mars, and in high-radiation fields such as those around Jupiter. Radioisotope power systems (RPSs) are the only available power source that can operate unconstrained in these environments for the long periods of time needed to accomplish many missions, and plutonium-238 (238Pu) is the only practical isotope for fueling them. Plutonium-238 does not occur in nature. The committee does not believe that there is any additional 238Pu (or any operational 238Pu production facilities) available anywhere in the world.The total amount of 238Pu available for NASA is fixed, and essentially all of it is already dedicated to support several pending missions-the Mars Science Laboratory, Discovery 12, the Outer Planets Flagship 1 (OPF 1), and (perhaps) a small number of additional missions with a very small demand for 238Pu. If the status quo persists, the United States will not be able to provide RPSs for any subsequent missions.

Report of the 90-day Study on Human Exploration of the Moon and Mars

Report of the 90-day Study on Human Exploration of the Moon and Mars PDF Author: United States
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Outer space
Languages : en
Pages : 184

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Space Nuclear Propulsion for Human Mars Exploration

Space Nuclear Propulsion for Human Mars Exploration PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780309684804
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Space Nuclear Propulsion for Human Mars Exploration identifies primary technical and programmatic challenges, merits, and risks for developing and demonstrating space nuclear propulsion technologies of interest to future exploration missions. This report presents key milestones and a top-level development and demonstration roadmap for performance nuclear thermal propulsion and nuclear electric propulsion systems and identifies missions that could be enabled by successful development of each technology.

Humans to Mars

Humans to Mars PDF Author: David S. F. Portree
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Space flight to Mars
Languages : en
Pages : 164

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Book Description


The Development of Cryogenic Storage Systems for Space Flight

The Development of Cryogenic Storage Systems for Space Flight PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Gases
Languages : en
Pages : 140

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Book Description
Development of cryogenic storage systems for manned space flight.

Future Spacecraft Propulsion Systems and Integration

Future Spacecraft Propulsion Systems and Integration PDF Author: Paul A. Czysz
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3662547449
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 515

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Book Description
The updated and expanded third edition of this book focuses on the multi-disciplinary coupling between flight-vehicle hardware alternatives and enabling propulsion systems. It discusses how to match near-term and far-term aerospace vehicles to missions and provides a comprehensive overview of the subject, directly contributing to the next-generation space infrastructure, from space tourism to space exploration. This holistic treatment defines a mission portfolio addressing near-term to long-term space transportation needs covering sub-orbital, orbital and escape flight profiles. In this context, a vehicle configuration classification is introduced covering alternatives starting from the dawn of space access. A best-practice parametric sizing approach is introduced to correctly design the flight vehicle for the mission. This technique balances required mission with the available vehicle solution space and is an essential capability sought after by technology forecasters and strategic planners alike.

Technology for Large Space Systems

Technology for Large Space Systems PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Large space structures (Astronautics)
Languages : en
Pages : 722

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NASA Technical Memorandum

NASA Technical Memorandum PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aeronautics
Languages : en
Pages : 492

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Book Description