Event Title
Cis-lunar Missions and Architecture: The Driving Requirements for Nuclear Power in Space
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Location
Clifford Hall, Room 210
Document Type
presentation
Start Date
9-5-2018 9:40 AM
End Date
9-5-2018 10:00 AM
Description
The desire to explore space has prompted the scientific and engineering community to solve complicated design requirements and present innovative drive solutions to conquer the space environment. Every space mission will require an independent power source that will have to pass technical, social, policy and law scrutiny.
The purpose of this study is to examine current and proposed cislunar missions and architecture, determine power requirement options, and whether they would drive the need for the use of nuclear power over other types of power sources. Can a nuclear power source in cislunar space, to include the lunar surface, be technologically and economically feasible in that it provides a safe and internationally acceptable source of power for use by future lunar missions?
This research is not all inclusive, meaning it will only cover a fraction of the concepts, missions, and research into subcategories of solar and nuclear-based power systems that operate in cislunar space. Although there are other nuclear-based infrastructures in use or in concept, this research focuses on those that are designed to produce power.
Many variables are involved when designing a space mission, and the best solution for what type of power is recommended is heavily based on the type of mission being supported. The statement advocating that a nuclear power source for cislunar missions is technologically feasible and acceptable across the international community is, however, still valid. The area that presents as not feasible is on the side of economics. At this point, the use of nuclear powered systems is not economically feasible due to the massive costs entailed to restore the fraction of 238Pu remaining to a viable amount through the regeneration of its production cycle. Until it is restored, solar power will be the dominating source of power in cislunar space.
Cis-lunar Missions and Architecture: The Driving Requirements for Nuclear Power in Space
Clifford Hall, Room 210
The desire to explore space has prompted the scientific and engineering community to solve complicated design requirements and present innovative drive solutions to conquer the space environment. Every space mission will require an independent power source that will have to pass technical, social, policy and law scrutiny.
The purpose of this study is to examine current and proposed cislunar missions and architecture, determine power requirement options, and whether they would drive the need for the use of nuclear power over other types of power sources. Can a nuclear power source in cislunar space, to include the lunar surface, be technologically and economically feasible in that it provides a safe and internationally acceptable source of power for use by future lunar missions?
This research is not all inclusive, meaning it will only cover a fraction of the concepts, missions, and research into subcategories of solar and nuclear-based power systems that operate in cislunar space. Although there are other nuclear-based infrastructures in use or in concept, this research focuses on those that are designed to produce power.
Many variables are involved when designing a space mission, and the best solution for what type of power is recommended is heavily based on the type of mission being supported. The statement advocating that a nuclear power source for cislunar missions is technologically feasible and acceptable across the international community is, however, still valid. The area that presents as not feasible is on the side of economics. At this point, the use of nuclear powered systems is not economically feasible due to the massive costs entailed to restore the fraction of 238Pu remaining to a viable amount through the regeneration of its production cycle. Until it is restored, solar power will be the dominating source of power in cislunar space.