NASA NTRS · 20170003378
No abstract available
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Houts, Mike, Mitchell, Sonny, Aschenbrenner, Ken, Van Dyke, Melissa. 2017-04-06. NASA's Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) Project. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20170003378
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
KEEP EXPLORING
A study was initiated to investigate propulsion stage and mission architecture options potentially enabled by fission energy. One initial concept is a versatile Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) system with a maximum specific impulse of 900 s and a maximum thrust (per engine) of 15 klbf. The system assumes a monopropellant stage (hydrogen), and is designed to also provide 300 lbf of thrust (potentially split between multiple thrusters) at an Isp > 500 s. Boost pumps are used to assist with engine decay heat removal and low thrust engine burns, and to compensate for partial tank depressurization during full thrust engine burns. Potential stage assembly orbits that take full advantage of launch vehicle payload mass and volume capabilities are being assessed. The potential for using NTP engines to also generate a small to moderate amount of electrical power is also being evaluated.