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    • A lunar IPWR: a pre-feasibility study

    Paper number

    IAC-06-D2.8.-C3.5.-D3.5.-C4.7.08

    Author

    Dr. Elvina Finzi, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

    Coauthor

    Mr. C.V. Lombardi, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

    Coauthor

    Dr. Leopold Summerer, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands

    Year

    2006

    Abstract
    Fission power systems are well suited to provide safe, reliable, and economic power within the range of 100 kWe. 
The goal of this research program is to carry out a feasibility study of a nuclear fission reactor suited for space applications. These refer either to electrical power production for stationary settlements (manned or unmanned) on some planet, or deep space planetary surfaces, or satellites (Mars, Moon). The reactor here proposed is a surface reactor both for the moon and mars.
The  requirements for the space nuclear reactor assumed are extreme reliability, research and development  program of moderate cost, development within a reasonable period of time (e.g. 2015),operability and controllability for a long time (10 years) without intervention and possibly to be also used as a byproduct for some particular terrestrial application (or at least to share common technologies).
In this study a low-power, surface, fission power system is undertaken. The driving idea is to extend as much as possible the PWR technology adopted for producing high powers in terrestrial applications to the design of a reactor suited for space conditions. Taking into account the small size, an integral type reactor is investigated. A Rankine steam cycle is evaluated for the electricity production. 
The neutronics calculation is based on WIMS code benchmarked with MCNP code. The reactivity control is envisaged by changing the core geometry. A mass estimation is then given, the resulting system appears viable and of reasonable size, well fit to the present space vector capabilities.
Even if a water Rankine system still presents challenging tasks for space applications no item seems to be unsolvable so that the system could be developed at a low cost and on an acceptable schedule.
    Abstract document

    IAC-06-D2.8.-C3.5.-D3.5.-C4.7.08.pdf

    Manuscript document

    IAC-06-D2.8.-C3.5.-D3.5.-C4.7.08.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

    To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.