Development of nuclear fuels and materials for propulsion systems for SEI

Abstract

A panel was organized by NASA/DOE/DOD to study nuclear fuels, materials, and related nuclear propulsion technologies for SEI, and the panel findings are discussed. The fuels/materials requirements for nuclear thermal propulsion and nuclear electric propulsions are reviewed, and the development items such as 'element' development and characterization, fabrication process development, nuclear capsule tests, nuclear loop tests, and nuclear furnace tests are examined for selected classes of fuels.