Nuclear rocket engine
- 2. INTRODUCTION Nuclear rocket system include Nuclear thermal propulsion (“NTP”) systems, nuclear electric propulsion (“NEP”) systems, hybrid NTP/NEP concepts and nuclear pulse rockets that are propelled by the force of nuclear explosions. Provide thrust through heating of liquid hydrogen propellant by nuclear fission. Several designs of nuclear thermal rockets solid, liquid and gas core nuclear rockets. Solid core nuclear rockets operate by pumping the liquid hydrogen propellant through narrow channels in a solid nuclear reactor. As liquid hydrogen moves through the channels, it is heated by the reactor into a high temperature gas and then ejected from the exhaust nozzle of the rocket at high speeds.
- 4. WORKING PRINCIPLE Stored H2 drawn through pump. Supplied to secondary reactor components. Extraction of heat from nuclear reactor. H2 flows primary fuel zone of reactor core. Exhaust through nozzle.
- 5. TYPES OF NUCLEAR ROCKET ENGINE Solid Core Pulsed Nuclear Thermal Rocket Liquid Core Gas Core
- 6. ADVANTAGE High Isp (2-10% that of chemical system) Low Specific Mass (kg/KW) High Power allows high thrust Use of any propellant Reduced radiation for some missions.
- 7. DISADVANTAGE Social issues Low technology readiness level (Maturity) Radiation issues (Shielding) High Reactor development cost
- 8. APPLICATIONS Nuclear propulsion in rockets Nuclear propulsion in submarines Nuclear propulsion in car engine (Ford)
- 9. RECENT INNOVATION The UK company Applied Fusion Systems are currently filing a patent for a new nuclear fusion rocket engine, creating by turning a small fusion reactor into a rocket. This technology could be used to run from a compact nuclear fusion reactor, a development which could pave the way for high speed, interstellar space travel.