A preliminary shield design for a SNAP-8 power system

Abstract

A preliminary shield design for a nuclear power system utilizing a SNAP-8 reactor for space base application is presented. A representative space base configuration was selected to set the geometry constraints imposed on the design. The base utilizes two independent power packages each with a reactor operating at 600 kwt and each producing about 50 kwe. The crew compartment is located about 200 feet from each reactor and is large enough in extent to intercept a total shadow angle of 60 deg measured about the center line of each reactor.