NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Collections About News Help Login
Back to Results
Phase 1 Space Fission Propulsion System Testing and Development ProgressSuccessful development of space fission systems requires an extensive program of affordable and realistic testing. In addition to tests related to design/development of the fission system, realistic testing of the actual flight unit must also be performed. If the system is designed to operate within established radiation damage and fuel burn up limits while simultaneously being designed to allow close simulation of heat from fission using resistance heaters, high confidence in fission system performance and lifetime can be attained through a series of non-nuclear tests. The Safe Affordable Fission Engine (SAFE) test series, whose ultimate goal is the demonstration of a 300 kW flight configuration system, has demonstrated that realistic testing can be performed using non-nuclear methods. This test series, carried out in collaboration with other NASA centers, other government agencies, industry, and universities, successfully completed a testing program with a 30 kWt core, Stirling engine, and ion engine configuration. Additionally, a 100 kWt core is in fabrication and appropriate test facilities are being reconfigured. This paper describes the current SAFE non-nuclear tests, which includes test article descriptions, test results and conclusions, and future test plans.
Document ID
20020050531
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
VanDyke, Melissa (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Houts, Mike (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Godfroy, Tom (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Dickens, Ricky (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Poston, David (Los Alamos National Lab. NM United States)
Kapernick, Rick (Los Alamos National Lab. NM United States)
Reid, Bob (Los Alamos National Lab. NM United States)
Salvail, Pat (ITT Research Inst. Huntsville, AL United States)
Ring, Peter (Advanced Methods and Materials Sunnyvale, CA United States)
Schafer, Charles
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2001
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: Space Technologies Applications International Forum Conference
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Country: United States
Start Date: February 3, 2002
End Date: February 7, 2002
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

Related Records

There are no records associated with this record.
No Preview Available