Nuclear PropulsionNuclear Propulsion

Allen MayAllen May

What is it?What is it?

Any Propulsion Method that uses some form of nuclear reaction

Any Propulsion Method that uses some form of nuclear reaction

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UsesUses

Submarines Aircraft Carriers Large Ships Rockets

Submarines Aircraft Carriers Large Ships Rockets QuickTime™ and a

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TypesTypes

Antimatter catalyzed nuclear pulse propulsion is a variation of nuclear pulse propulsion based upon the injection of antimatter into a mass of nuclear fuel which normally would not be useful in propulsion. The anti-protons used to start the reaction are consumed, so it is a misnomer to refer to them as a catalyst.

Antimatter catalyzed nuclear pulse propulsion is a variation of nuclear pulse propulsion based upon the injection of antimatter into a mass of nuclear fuel which normally would not be useful in propulsion. The anti-protons used to start the reaction are consumed, so it is a misnomer to refer to them as a catalyst.

Fission-fragment rocketFission-fragment rocket

The fission-fragment rocket is a rocket engine design that directly harnesses hot nuclear fission products for thrust, as opposed to using a separate fluid as working mass. The design can, in theory, produce very high specific impulses while still being well within the abilities of current technologies.

The fission-fragment rocket is a rocket engine design that directly harnesses hot nuclear fission products for thrust, as opposed to using a separate fluid as working mass. The design can, in theory, produce very high specific impulses while still being well within the abilities of current technologies.

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Nuclear thermal rocketNuclear thermal rocket

In a nuclear thermal rocket a working fluid, usually hydrogen, is heated to a high temperature in a nuclear reactor, and then expands through a rocket nozzle to create thrust.

In a nuclear thermal rocket a working fluid, usually hydrogen, is heated to a high temperature in a nuclear reactor, and then expands through a rocket nozzle to create thrust.

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AdvantagesAdvantages

More Energy With Less Mass Also Powers Electricity Rockets can use Ion Thrusters

– Use of Electric Field to accelerate ions

Hall Thrusters– Creates net axial electric field in the thrust

direction

More Energy With Less Mass Also Powers Electricity Rockets can use Ion Thrusters

– Use of Electric Field to accelerate ions

Hall Thrusters– Creates net axial electric field in the thrust

direction

Schematic Diagram of a Solid Nuclear Thermal Rocket

Schematic Diagram of a Solid Nuclear Thermal Rocket

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Questions????Questions????

Sources: http://www.astrodigital.org/space/nuclear.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_propulsion

Sources: http://www.astrodigital.org/space/nuclear.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_propulsion