Hardware Based Technology Assessment in Support of Near-Term Space Fission Missions

Abstract

Abstract. Fission technology can enable rapid, affordable access to any point in the solar system. If fission propulsion systems are to be developed to their full potential; however, near-term customers must be identified and initial fission systems successfully developed, launched, and utilized. Successful utilization will most likely occur if frequent, significant hardware-based milestones can be achieved throughout the program. Achieving these milestones will depend on the capability to perform highly realistic non-nuclear testing of nuclear systems. This paper discusses ongoing and potential research that could help achieve these milestones.

Multiple Restart Testing of a Stainless Steel Sodium Heat Pipe Module

“…To address near term issues with an early hardware program, the Marshall Space Flight Center initiated an effort to examine a heat pipe system (Van Dyke, 2001). One of these systems, referred to as the Safe Affordable Fission Engine (SAFE), is a 100-kWt Los AIamos National Laboratory design that makes use of 61 stainless steelisodium heat pipe modules operating at a nominal temperature of 973 K (Houts, 2003) (Van Dyke, 2004). 1nG;astructure has been established to fabricate, fill, process, and evaluate the heat pipe modules at a component level (Martin, 2004a).…”