An HTGR for interplanetary space missions: pre design phase
- Paper number
IAC-06-D2.8.-C3.5.-D3.5.-C4.7.04
- Author
Dr. Elvina Finzi, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
- Coauthor
Dr. Leopold Summerer, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Nuclear power systems, thanks to their features of safety, efficiency and reliability are well suited to provide electric power within the range demanded from the near future space exploration programs (10-100 KW). Space applications of a nuclear fission reactor refer to electric power production both during deep space transfers, when electric power feed electric engines (NEP: Nuclear Electric Propulsion) and during stationary phases on some planet or natural satellite, producing electrical power for manned or unmanned settlements. In this study a low-power, fission reactor is undertaken. The driving idea is to extend as much as possible the HTGR technology, nowadays under development on Earth and able to produce high power levels in terrestrial applications, to the design of a reactor suited for space conditions. This paper focuses on the optimization of a small, innovative, low-power high temperature gas cooled reactor. A Thermolectric device and a brayton cycle have been evaluated as power conversion system. To define the main aspects of the system and the reactor geometry, a conspicuous number of neutronic calculations, based on WIMS code benchmarked with MCNP code, were carried out. An evaluation of materials high temperature behavior, a preliminary design of the core supports and very preliminary launch vibration analysis have been carried out On the basis of this preliminary analysis no item seems to be unsolvable, even if only an research and developement program of reasonable extent may guarantee the effective feasibility, as some demanding researches could be also of interest for the new terrestrial High Temperature Gas Reactor.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-D2.8.-C3.5.-D3.5.-C4.7.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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