Closed cycle MHD power generation system driven by nuclear reactor for space exploration
For deep space explorations, we have to develop high-efficiency, high-reliability and high-performance electric power generation system. In this paper, a closed cycle magnetohydrodynamic (CCMHD) power generation system directly driven by a nuclear fission reactor (NFR) was proposed and investigated. Output electric power level is multi-MWe. Particularly, influence of the number of compressor stages, the regenerator efficiency and the radiator temperature on total plant efficiency and on specific mass (kg/kWe) was analyzed. Proposed system was expected to provide over 55% of total plant efficiency with the radiator temperature of 300 K. The estimated specific mass was about 2/spl sim/3 (kg/kWe) for 2 MWe output and 1/spl sim/2 (kg/kWe) for output power over 3 MWe level.
Mission Steering Profiles of Outer Planetary Orbiters Using Radioisotope Electric Propulsion
Radioisotope Electric Propulsion (REP) has the potential to enable small spacecraft to orbit outer planetary targets with trip times comparable to flyby missions. The ability to transition from a flyby to an orbiter mission lies in the availability of continuous low power electric propulsion along the entire trajectory. The electric propulsion system’s role is to add and remove energy from the spacecraft’s trajectory to bring it in and out of a heliocentric hyperbolic escape trajectory for the outermost target bodies. Energy is added and the trajectory is reshaped to rendezvous with the closer‐in target bodies. Sample REP trajectories will be presented for missions ranging for distances from Jupiter orbit to the Pluto‐Kuiper Belt.
Scaling of Ion Thrusters to Low Power
Michael J. Patterson and Stanley P. GrisnikLewis Research Center, Cleveland, OhioGeorge C. SoulasNYMA, Inc., Brook Park, OhioPrepared for the25th International Electric Propulsion Conferencesponsored by the Electric Rocket Propulsion SocietyCleveland, Ohio, August 24-28, 1997National Aeronautics andSpace AdministrationLewis Research Center