Space nuclear propulsion - future applications and technology

This paper is a result of the Space Nuclear Propulsion Workshop which was held in December 1984 to address nuclear technology for propulsion. The principles of direct nuclear propulsion and nuclear electric propulsion, along with several reactor and electric thruster concepts, are briefly discussed. The potential high thrust and high specific impulse, 850 to 5000 seconds, of direct nuclear propulsion makes it attractive for consideration of reducing the mass of future primary space propulsion. The very high, readily achievable specific impulse of high power, nuclear electric propulsion, 1000 to 5000 seconds, makes it particularly attractive for low cost space transportation. To further assess the performance and cost of nuclear and nuclear electric propulsion, an integrated view of the potential system technologies under careful consideration of mission constraints, including nuclear surety, is necessary. 12 references