Free Courses Sale ends Soon, Get It Now


NUCLEAR POWERED ROCKETS

24th January, 2023

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context:

  • In 2023, the US space agency started a new program named NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) and has selected the development of a new concept of bimodal nuclear propulsion.
  • This new bimodal nuclear propulsion system will use a “wave rotor topping cycle” that may reduce transit times to Mars to 45 days. This proposal was put forward by Prof. Ryan Gosse.

How will nuclear propulsion work?

  • Nuclear propulsion is based on two concepts Nuclear-Thermal Propulsion (NTP) and Nuclear-Electric Propulsion (NEP).
  • The NTP system includes a nuclear reactor that will heat liquid hydrogen (LH2) propellant and turn it into ionized hydrogen gas (plasma) that will then be channeled through nozzles to generate thrust.

Nuclear Thermal Rocket

  • nuclear thermal rocket(NTR) is a type of thermal rocket where the heat from a nuclear reaction, often nuclear fission, replaces the chemical energy of the propellants in a chemical rocket.
  • In an NTR, a working fluid, usually liquid hydrogen, is heated to a high temperature in a nuclear reactor and then expands through a rocket nozzle to create thrust. The external nuclear heat source theoretically allows a higher effective exhaust velocity and is expected to double or triple payload capacity compared to chemical propellants that store energy internally.
  • NTRs have been proposed as a spacecraft propulsion technology, with the earliest ground tests occurring in 1955.
  • Nuclear-powered thermal rockets are more effective than chemical thermal rockets, primarily because they can use low-molecular-mass propellants such as hydrogen.

Nuclear Electric Rocket 

    1. A compact reactor core.
    2. An electric generator.
    3. A compact waste heat rejection system such as heat pipes.
    4. An electric power conditioning and distribution system.
    5. Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion.

Must Read:

Cryogenic Engine: https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/cryogenic-engine

Basics of Missiles: https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/the-basics-of-missiles

Nuclear Fission and Fusion: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/nuclear-fusion-and-fission

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/explained-how-nuclear-powered-rockets-can-send-missions-to-mars-in-45-days/articleshow/97176430.cms